I think it was finally time.
I’ve been playing the same TaylorMade SpeedBlades since 2014. That’s a pretty long relationship with a set of golf clubs, and they’ve definitely been through a lot with me. But after more than 10 years, I decided it was time to try something new.
So I went with the TaylorMade P790s.
The first thing I noticed is how much more compact the heads look compared to my old SpeedBlades. They have less offset, a cleaner shape, and just look really good sitting behind the ball. They’re still not a traditional blade, but they definitely have more of that clean, players-iron look that I really like.
I’ve been a TaylorMade fan for a long time, so I guess this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. My golf bag is basically becoming a small TaylorMade museum. I’ve got an M1 driver, SLDR Mini Driver, 3-wood, 5-wood, 4 and 5 SLDR rescues, and now the P790s from 4-iron through pitching wedge. I’m still carrying my old SpeedBlade wedges too – a 60°, 55° sand wedge and, a 47° approach wedge. I’m not sure if I’ll replace these but I do have my eyes on some.
And yes, I know I’m carrying more than the recommended 14 clubs. So technically, I’m walking around with a future disqualification sitting in my golf bag, But I’m not exactly out there trying to qualify for the PGA Tour. I’m playing golf because I enjoy it, and somehow this crappy golfer has managed to get himself down to a single-digit handicap. I’m currently around an 8.2 and hope to get to about a 4-5 in the next couple years. I think scratch may be too much to ask for unless I start neglecting my life responsibilities.
Today was actually my first round with the new clubs. I played with Gideon Choi at Willowick Golf Course in Santa Ana.
Unfortunately, today probably wasn’t the ideal day to really put the P790s to the test.
I have four tears in my left shoulder from a skateboarding injury. It doesn’t hurt badly enough to make me stop playing golf, but I can’t really jump, spin or make quick movements. For some reason, the muscles around my neck and shoulder blade have also been really sore, so by the time I got out there today, it was a little rough.
I still managed to hit maybe two really good shots with the new clubs, which was enough to make me think, “Okay, I like these.” I also managed to completely mess up three or four chips that could have been easy up-and-downs, so there was plenty of room for improvement.
In the end, Gideon took the win by five strokes.
And it was HOT.
So, I guess the first official test of the P790s wasn’t exactly scientific. My shoulder was sore, my neck and shoulder-blade muscles were sore, it was hot, my short game wasn’t cooperating, and Gideon beat me by five. Oh, and I had a few really bad drives.
But I really like the look of these clubs.
After playing the SpeedBlades for more than a decade, it feels a little strange looking down at something new. The P790s are smaller and cleaner, with less offset, and they just look really good behind the ball.
Now I need to get them properly set up, get my body feeling better, and actually give them a fair test. I’m putting in new shafts, 3d printing some ferrules, and will need new grips.
The SpeedBlades have treated me well since 2014. I’ll keep them in my car in case I need to regroup after a bad front 9. but I’m looking forward to the new clubs as my gamers.
But sometimes you just need to put the old clubs down, grab something new, and see what happens.
Let’s go.
