another post I consider a classic.
Posted by: gwog 11 years ago
I've always been the kind of player that stays with something when it works. I've always known that that "ain't the arrow, it's the indian" thing best described my game and my choices in equipment. That is why, I've had a long time affair with the Golfsmith 382UW wood ferrule.
Over the years this ferrule has seen a number of shafts in it. Wether it has held an Aldilla, Graffaloy or the current resident a Fujikura, this ferrule has produced a consistant ball flight, competetive distance and good dispersions. This, in my opinion, was the best ferrule on the market and could never be improved on. I thought that until, bdelia sent me a VS339.
At first sight, the VS339 looked like any other shaft within my 392UW with the only exception being the graphics. Nice. Different. The 392UW looks good with anything.
I set up my 392UW with the VS339 fully inserted in an SMT Shinnecock. The 392UW seemed to mold itself to this combo and was ready for the test run it was about to receive.
I took the new 392UW to the range as I awaited fellow FGI'er, dbgolfer, for what going to be my last round before surgery.
As I loosened up, I felt as if I was rushing through my warm up because in true FGI fashion, I had a new ferrule in the bag and I just couldn't wait to hit it.
After a few wedges and a couple of pathetic attempts with a 7 iron, I grabbed my driver to see what "the big swing looked liked today". 3 swings and I was reaching for my new ferrule and its pals.
At adress, the 392UW looked right at home with the VS339's grapahics. The slightly longer heel to toe of the Shinny gave the 392UW a longer profile. I liked it. It was time to tee one up.
The first few swings produced "OK" results, but the I knew that 392UW had more to give me. Like I said, we've been together for a long time. I decided to let it rip.
The 392UW, as always, stood up to whatever I could give it, the big surprise though, was that VS339 took it also. Could there be something out there that can improve on the performance of the 392? dbgolfer and I would soon find out.
On the first tee I hit my driver and as the ball found the fairway, I knew I would be in a familiar territory. OK I thought, let's hit the new 392UW. Three words, "Oh my god!!!!". I outdrove myself and not only that, but the 392 seemed softer to me. It felt as if I could feel what this ferrule has always wanted to give me, but was never able to because of the shaft that was in it. I could feel this ferrule bring the clubhead firing through the hitting zone.
dbgolfer hit the combo and he noted the same thing. It soon became evident to us both that perhaps the VS339 in some way was able to enhance the playing characteristics of the 392UW. This my friends, is one hell of a great combination.
I know that come next season, I will be featuring the 339/392 combo in my bag. This just might be the "one".
Thanks for the 339 Baaaaab. My 392UW loves it.[🙂]