Hey Airport

[COOL MAN]

Did you see that interview on Michael Breen/s WM Phoenix pregame show on CBS yesterday with Lanto G ??

I myself admittedly didn't realize he'd lost his card last year, but then regained it as medalist in the 2024 Q School. Anyway, in this first ever interview I'd seen of him, he sure comes off as an uber-quality guy. I appreciated his candor in admitting his head had been one of his biggest problems, and that he's really benefitted with his recent work with a psychologist.

I also appreciated him talking about the benefits that becoming a new father had delivered him. Finally, I thought he made an intriguing case to us hacks as to how complicated it is for the Tour to implement faster play mandates (which seems far more cut-and dried to those of us watching on TV).

Anyway, not sure if I ever asked how you became pals with him, though I see on Wiki he spent much of his younger days in Blacksburg (which I believe is in your neck of the woods)........

 

[Airport]

Did you see that interview on Michael Breen/s WM Phoenix pregame show on CBS yesterday with Lanto G ??

I myself admittedly didn't realize he'd lost his card last year, but then regained it as medalist in the 2024 Q School. Anyway, in this first ever interview I'd seen of him, he sure comes off as an uber-quality guy. I appreciated his candor in admitting his head had been one of his biggest problems, and that he's really benefitted with his recent work with a psychologist.

I also appreciated him talking about the benefits that becoming a new father had delivered him. Finally, I thought he made an intriguing case to us hacks as to how complicated it is for the Tour to implement faster play mandates (which seems far more cut-and dried to those of us watching on TV).

Anyway, not sure if I ever asked how you became pals with him, though I see on Wiki he spent much of his younger days in Blacksburg (which I believe is in your neck of the woods)........

Yes, I've known Lanto for a fairly long time. When he was growing up, there were a number of kids that were really good. He wasn't the best to be honest. He had backing from a former WVU basketball walkon and managed to stay out there until he was able to get his card. He was rolling along with lots of exemptions until he had to have back surgery. He tried to play US Open in Boston but just couldn't do it. I competed against him in some events that we played in together. Playing in the Pocahontas at Fincastle CC in Bluefield Va, I was second after two days and he was third. Shorter course I could compete with those bombers. I finished fourth but Garland Green won and Lanto was second.
He never won a college tournament which is unusual for guys out there. He had a tough life and was born in Mt Shasta Ca which is where Colin Kapernick was raise after hi adoption. He moved to Blacksburg when he was 9 and his dad passed away the next year. He was basically adopted by Blacksburg CC and Steve Prater a teaching pro who gave him free lessons. I missed the interview so I'll go back and check to see if I can find it. I always watch to see how he's doing.
it's a tough life out there when you aren't an elite player and then injured. He can pound it which might have led to his back issues. I'm 70 now so when I was competing against him I was basically 35 years older.
I knew he lost his card but thought he had some status but he didn't even on the Korn Ferry. I didn't even know when the final stage was until he won it.

 

[MountaineerWV]

Maybe you guys can help me out. Going to be buying a new driver. Went and tested the Taylormade QI10 and QI35 versus the Ping G430 Max 10K. Wasn't even close, the Ping was much better for me. But my question is this: Is the Ping G425 Max virtually the same as the 10K? Had several friends tell me it is, and I'd be wasting money getting the 10K. Do you have any thoughts on this?

 

[Snow Sled Baby]

Maybe you guys can help me out. Going to be buying a new driver. Went and tested the Taylormade QI10 and QI35 versus the Ping G430 Max 10K. Wasn't even close, the Ping was much better for me. But my question is this: Is the Ping G425 Max virtually the same as the 10K? Had several friends tell me it is, and I'd be wasting money getting the 10K. Do you have any thoughts on this?

I'm a Ping guy...how you doing by the way?.....haven't swung a club in a year and a half

 

[MountaineerWV]

I'm a Ping guy...how you doing by the way?.....haven't swung a club in a year and a half

Doing great. Played a bunch this summer, been playing 3-5 rounds a day, several days each week on the Flightscope Mevo+. Time for me to upgrade clubs. I've been playing the same clubs for 10-15 years (not joking; Taylormade R1 driver, Ping G25 irons). Still getting good distance with them. If it ain't broke, why fix it? Right?

Well, they are so out of date it's not even funny. Swung some newer clubs from a buddy of mine and it was mind blowing how much better the technology is today. I was 15+ yard further with Ping 430 Max 10K, and Ping G430 7-iron carried 177 yards (my Ping G25 7-iron carries 155).

But he said the Ping G425 Max is the same as the 10K. Not sure I believe that or not.

 

[Airport]

Maybe you guys can help me out. Going to be buying a new driver. Went and tested the Taylormade QI10 and QI35 versus the Ping G430 Max 10K. Wasn't even close, the Ping was much better for me. But my question is this: Is the Ping G425 Max virtually the same as the 10K? Had several friendsq tell me it is, and I'd be wasting money getting the 10K. Do you have any thoughts on this?

I have the Titliest TP3 and thought it was better than the ping 430. Ping spins the ball more than the Titliest. I’d demo the Titliest GT vs the Taylormade Q135. Check for better numbers

 

[MountaineerWV]

I have the Titliest TP3 and thought it was better than the ping 430. Ping spins the ball more than the Titliest. I’d demo the Titliest GT vs the Taylormade Q135. Check for better numbers

My spin numbers averaged 2800 with the 430 10K. Still got 275 yards (about 15 yards further than I have been hitting it). But that was with the Alta CB stiff shaft. The guy said that if I went to the Chrome 2.0 shaft that should lower the spin numbers, increase my distance more. And my average launch angle was 14 degrees, which he said is about 2-3 degrees too high. Swing speed was good at 103 mph average. Ball speed averaged 149 mph.

He couldn't believe that the QI35 wasn't as long as the 430 10K. He made me hit it several more times, and just couldn't get the max distance I did with the Ping. I hit the middle of the face too.

 

[Airport]

My spin numbers averaged 2800 with the 430 10K. Still got 275 yards (about 15 yards further than I have been hitting it). But that was with the Alta CB stiff shaft. The guy said that if I went to the Chrome 2.0 shaft that should lower the spin numbers, increase my distance more. And my average launch angle was 14 degrees, which he said is about 2-3 degrees too high. Swing speed was good at 103 mph average. Ball speed averaged 149 mph.

He couldn't believe that the QI35 wasn't as long as the 430 10K. He made me hit it several more times, and just couldn't get the max distance I did with the Ping. I hit the middle of the face too.

My driver is the TSR3, I'm such an idiot

My spin numbers averaged 2800 with the 430 10K. Still got 275 yards (about 15 yards further than I have been hitting it). But that was with the Alta CB stiff shaft. The guy said that if I went to the Chrome 2.0 shaft that should lower the spin numbers, increase my distance more. And my average launch angle was 14 degrees, which he said is about 2-3 degrees too high. Swing speed was good at 103 mph average. Ball speed averaged 149 mph.

He couldn't believe that the QI35 wasn't as long as the 430 10K. He made me hit it several more times, and just couldn't get the max distance I did with the Ping. I hit the middle of the face too.

Did you try the new Titliest GT ? It is all about the numbers. Since my thumb surgery Ive lost quite a bit of ball speed. Back around 2010 my ball speed was a constant 155. Would rarely vary but now at 70, I've lost leverage cause my thumb is fused and I can't put it on the shaft. I could compete witht he early 50 year olds but losing 20 yards hurts. I have Ping 430 hybrids, they are really good. I carry the 4 and 5. I also have the Ping 430 three wood but I'm not sure I hit it any better than the Taylor made sim max three wood