Old FGI Memories Thread

MidwayJ · 2024-01-04T20:44:15+00:00

Recent reminiscing by a few of us about the "Top Flite Tour OMG" thread and the unfortunate passing of Steve Almo got me thinking about the old FGI days. Let...

professor

Supp I’ve golfed with FGIers in Ireland

I have maintained a lifetime friendship after meeting up with Shamrock Slasher in Dublin. We spent a night out on the town (pub) while the missus, it was 2006, stayed back at the bed and breakfast. Well, let me tell you, Paul (his real name) is a rather thin but athletic man and he can put down pints. My gawd we closed down that pub. And it's true, Guinness is much better there than here!

Supp

professor

Yes, Paul (Shamrock Slasher) is a solid guy. And so is Graham (Malahide). I haven't kept in touch with them since I was in Dublin, but the time I spent was well worthwhile.

Here's a shot of me, Shamrock Slasher and Malahide from our round there.

Walterjn

Supp ok, for us newbies who missed FGI completely, who is who??

Supp

Walterjn

From left to right: Me, Shamrock Slasher and Malahide. By the way, back in FGI days, I went by Supperman.

Walterjn

Supp supperman?? Never wanted to miss supper?😉
I was thinking you would be the one on the left. The other 2 have a European look to them, not sure how else I can explain it.
Looks like you all had fun!!

Supp

Walterjn

Well, I've never been one to turn down a good meal.😁

fatshot

I don't have many FGI stories to share, as I started out on 4GEA, and mostly lurked on FGI, trying to soak up component and club building knowledge from there. My best memory though is of Bernie Baymiller and his long driver expertise. I got in touch with him, and come to find out, his son worked in the accounting dept. at the same golf resort near Toledo where I was working summers in the pro shop at the time. Bernie had played the (Arthur Hills) course there many times. Anyway, he recommended what components to buy and how to build myself a long driver. I started at 48 inches, but after the first season shortened it to 47, and eventually wound up at 46. It was an old Integra 450 Beta Ti head....still sitting on my work bench with a rattle that won't quit. It was a good club though.....!!!

MidwayJ

fatshot Was his name "Longstick" on FGI?

bad9

fatshot Bernie was probably solely responsible for 75% of the Chicago Gold 966SD driver head. I had an 11 degree that I only sold 2yrs ago and regret it. It was a better head for me than the Big Bertha. I've tried to scrounge up a 13 degree over the years to set up as a mini driver.

scotts33

Anyone ever hear from Rory aka Beatfarmer?

Rickochet

scotts33 Anyone ever hear from Rory aka Beatfarmer?

Seems like he posted here once a few years ago. Didn't have too much to say. I guess he is still the Mayor of Pigfart. IIRC Rory was the all time top poster at FGI.

FauxAmish

Rickochet

Last I heard was that Rory had moved to the Las Vegas area a few years ago.

Ack8236

I don't remember any of the names that were there or know if anyone is still here, but here's an old FGI bit of memory.😁

MidwayJ

Supp That's pretty incredible that you played golf with FGIers from so many places!

Supp

MidwayJ

At the time, my wife was starting a yoga studio/yoga teacher training school. However she had to get trained herself and had to take several modules to complete her training. Most of the training was in the U.S., and whenever she'd go for a training session, I'd go along a take my clubs. I'd post on FGI that I'd be in that particular city. There were always some local FGIers in that particular city to hook up with for a couple of rounds.

Also, when I went on some trips for conferences, I'd take my clubs along for a round or two with the locals.

MidwayJ

There was a guy in Ireland who I sold component heads to a few times. I think his name was Darrell but I don't remember his FGI name. Really nice guy and always super appreciative that I was willing to ship internationally.

Par4QC

MidwayJ Had several transactions with Daryl also. There was also a Lars from Sweden that I shipped a lot of toys to, esp. the Blue Velvet shafts.

And then there was @RedC from Maylasia😄. Not sure if he ever joined up here but still see him on FB at times.
I'll bet that name rings a bell for you @MidwayJ. iirc, you shipped some items to me to forward to him, as I did a lot of times.

Rickochet

MidwayJ Was his name "Longstick" on FGI?

That was Bernie Baymiller from Tennessee.

fatshot

MidwayJ Was his name "Longstick" on FGI?

Yep!

MidwayJ

Par4QC That sounds familiar about shipping items for you to forward, but I wouldn't have remembered the country he was in.

ode

Par4QC @MidwayJ

Yes I remember sending packages to Ireland but cannot remember the FGI name🤔. I don't.think I ever shipped to Sweden but did to Iceland once. It was a fairly easy process....if the people.at.the PO knew what they were doing🙃

MidwayJ

Rickochet Yeah he's who I was asking about from @fatshot 's post.

Rickochet

MidwayJ Yeah he's who I was asking about from

Bernie died in 2018 at 83. Besides being a pioneer in the long and light driver concept he was involved in the development of the various Neufinder (NF) spine finders. Nice man. I chatted with him often.

scotts33

Rickochet Besides being a pioneer in the long and light driver concept he was involved in the development of the various Neufinder (NF) spine finders.

I helped Dan Neubecker with Bernie, Dave Tutleman and Tim Hewiit develop the NF4 with the kg calibration. Tim Hewitt maintained a deflection profiling site for a few years then took it down.

Here's an old thread on the NF4. https://golfbuzz.com/d/6748-request-for-your-help-neufinder-nf4-nf4-1-build-calibration/19

Rickochet

scotts33 I helped Dan Neubecker with Bernie, Dave Tutleman and Tim Hewiit develop the NF4 with the kg calibration.

I liked the pics you posted of your NF4. I never went beyond my NF2 with the old W99(?) spring. I enjoyed building it and following the NF stuff on a website. Are Dan and Dave still tinkering with golf stuff?

ode

scotts33 I think Tims site was golfshaftprofiles . com

I remember it being free and joining and using it a.few times.

LogicalOne

scotts33

Didn’t Tim have a bunch of other good data/information posted as well? Maybe one could even access it using the Wayback Machine! 😊

https://web.archive.org/

scotts33

Rickochet Are Dan and Dave still tinkering with golf stuff?

Unsure Rick as I haven't been in touch with either of them for a few years.

There were so many good guys in clubmaking over the years before major brands got involved in their marketing schtick. It more or less ruined the clubmaking for little guys and their improvements and thinking out of the box.

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