Snake Eyes 600C Forged Iron Head

Grade: A

I am not worthy of these clubs. But I play them nonetheless.

The Golfsmith Snake Eyes 600C heads are a beautiful set of forged iron heads. I assembled a set with Rifle graphite shafts, and have found them to be the best feeling heads I have ever used—even including the much more expensive major manufacturers’ clubs.

They also attract a lot of attention. Everyone I have played with at the club has noticed them and asked to take a swing. And everyone has liked them.

From the address position, these clubs look for all the world like blades. But they have a small cavity back that helps to compensate for off-center hits. They are nearly as forgiving as any of the other game-improvement irons I have tried (although I have by no means tried them all). But they are much, much better feeling. On a well-stuck ball, you just can’t believe how buttery it is. And on off center shots—well, the cavity back helps, but you also will be able to feel your mistakes.

Of all the clubs in my set, the 4-iron is my favorite. I normally don’t carry an iron longer than a 6, but I put the 4 back in the bag. I use it to smash balls out of the rough after an errant drive on long par 5s. My best shot with it: I eagled a par 5 from 180 out of the rough.

Another great feature of these heads is that they are designed to fit with the Snake Eyes 600B muscleback forged heads. That way, you can mix and match: used the musclebacks on the short irons, and the cavity backs on the long.

Snake Eyes 600B Forged Iron Heads

The only problem is that I am unworthy. I’m a 15 handicapper with a streaky game. When I’m on, I am capable of playing very well, indeed. But I have a nasty problem with a flying left elbow that causes bad shots—a problem that shows up on a couple of holes each round, ruining my scores. A good player would be able to make these clubs sing for their supper.

My pro friend tried my clubs for a round and liked them so much that he put together a set for himself. Then he promptly sold them right out of his bag to a client who made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.

I’m interested in what you have to say! Add your own review by clicking on the comments link below.

Dunlop LoCo Low Compression Ball

Grade: C

There's only one thing I really didn't like about this ball: the way it putts. I had a hard time judging the distance and never felt as though it was rolling well. And, since putting is the strongest part of my game -- the part that I rely on to keep my scores down -- that was enough to sink it (pun intended). Other aspects of the ball were ok. The feel was nice and soft, it had adequate distance, and decent spin. And the price is right. But I just couldn't get past the feeling that it was hurting my putting. I gave it a C for effort.

New Decade Lite Cord

Grade: B

I have oddly sized hands: large palms with smallish fingers. This makes it difficult to find golf gloves that fit. It also makes it difficult to find grips of the proper size.

So when I went to Ralph Maltby's Golfworks looking for a smallish, thin walled grip, the clerk suggested the New Decade. He was right. The grip fits better than any I've yet tried. It also turned out to be just right for the new graphite shafts that I was trying out. The grips were a couple of grams lighter than the ones I was using and this made the swingweight come out just right.

I also like the grip's feel. The cord is a little rough on the top of the grip, and I think this makes me not grip it so tight. The grip's lower half is very soft.

The downside of the grip is that, after a long session at the range, I get blisters. Because I don't play with gloves (could never get any to really fit), the corded upper area gets a little rough on the hands. Because of this, I can't really give it an A. So it gets a B.

Rifle Graphite 75 Gram Iron Shaft Set 3-PW
Grade: A

The knock against graphite golf shafts always has been that they are not as consistent as steel. But recent advances in manufacturing have reportedly solved that problem, so this summer I decided to give them a try.

I chose the Rifle Graphite 75s because they promised to provide consistent weights across the different lengths in the set. The tips on each of the shafts were pre-cut, so it was simply a matter of making sure the right shaft went into the right head. The weights on these shafts turned to be right on the mark, as the finished clubweights were consistent across the entire set.

One advantage of the graphite was that the lighter weight enabled me to cut the shafts a half inch longer without making the clubs feel too heavy. I've always been more comfortable with a longer shaft, as it allows me to stand more upright and take some pressure off my back.

After playing the second half of the summer with graphite shafts, I have to say that I am a believer.  I haven't had any noticable accuracy or consistency problems. And the feel of the graphite is superior to the steel. Mishits don't hurt anymore because the graphite easily absorbs the shock. And, after playing more golf this summer than ever before, I don't have the case of "golfers elbow" that I usually develop by the fall.

And then there's the Magic Word for amateur golfers: distance. I think I'm hitting my irons further. Never a long hitter, I think I've gained distance. My reference club used to be a well-swung 6 iron at 150. When I'm playing well, 150 now is an easy six, or a hard 7

It's probably a combination of things. The clubs are longer, the swingweight lighter, and there likely is more whip. But the distance is there.

I won't go back to steel. Graphite is more expensive, but it's worth it.

Snake Eyes 600W Forged Wedge Heads
Grade: B-

The 600W is beautiful wedge that comes in 48*, 52*, 56* and 60* lofts. I have the 48*, 56* and 60* versions with Rifle wedge shafts.

The 600W is the successor to last year's Snake Eyes Forged Wedge (I have the 56* version of that one). What distinguishes the 600W is a wider sole and a more gentle bevel. For me, this design change has made the 600W much more playable.

While I liked the feel of the original Forged Wedge, I had trouble with it. Tight lies, in particular, caused me much grief.  My PGA pro friend insisted that the problem was that the sole was too narrow -- that the club was not gliding properly across the ground and was instead digging in. He suggested grinding. I decided to try the new version, instead.

On the new 600W, the wider sole and new bevel make a big difference. The 600W handles thick rough and tight lies with aplomb. With the 56*, I can get the ball up and onto the green from nearly any lie.

The 56* has turned out to be so versatile that I have dropped the 60* from the bag (nothing wrong with it -- its just that there is nothing I can do with the 60* that I can't with the 56*). 

The 48* -- pitching wedge -- also is superb. I like to use it on full swings from around 100 - 110 yards, and on pitch and run shots from 50 yards in. If I really need the height and distance, I can smash it for as far as 130 (risky, but doable).

I think the feel of this wedge is unsurpassed -- it's incredibly soft.  On both the sand and pitching wedges, I quickly developed the proper touch for distance control.

However, don't be fooled. The 600W is definitely a player's wedge. There are plenty of other wedges out there that easier to use. That's why it gets only a B-.