Pursuit s510 True Forged

Grade: A
Teacher’s Comments: A classic wedge

Even as my distances off the tee and from the fairway deteriorate, my short game has stepped up to help me keep my fifteen handicap. Get me anywhere within a hundred yards of the green, and I’ll get up and down in short order. It’s the thing I find most fun about the game.

So I’ve become a connoisseur of wedges. I carry five in my bag (pitching, gap, lob and two sand wedges, for different lies). A dozen more live in my shed. Each has its season and place.

One that’s found its way into my bag this spring is a 52 degree (Gap) Pursuit s510 True Forged from GigaGolf. Designed with a classic teardrop shape, it’s as easy to look at as it is to play.

And it’s versatile. Playing from the fairway, from tight lies, bunkers, thick grass and all manner of positions, the Pursuit s510 has proved its worth. I found it especially useful in playing from hard, tight lies. The six degrees of bounce and the ability to lay the leading edge flush with the ground minimizes for me the chance of a skull, and allows me to play those shots as high and soft as out of fluffy grass.

GigaGolf manufactured the club from 1035 carbon steel with a five step forging process. This, they say, packs the molecules densely for greater feel and control. In fact, the feel of the club is what you might expect from a forging. When struck cleanly, it’s as soft and pure as any club I’ve played.

The finish on the club is chrome, with the classic dark region framing the striking area. I haven’t noticed any wear on the finish or rust, but I’ve only had the club for a month or so. The logo and lettering on the back are understated, and not in the least distracting.

Workmanship on the club is excellent. The grip is properly aligned, and the ferrule flush with the hosel, with no gaps. That last is a sure sign of care in manufacture. As a semi-pro clubmaker, I know how easy it is to just shove a ferrule on with no regard for proper fitting.

You can get the Pursuit s510 made with a variety of shaft brands and flexes, as well as various grip types. You can also get the shaft length cut to custom lengths, and a lie adjustment.

The best part is that you can get all for as little as $45. That’s about half the price of a forged wedge from one of the big names.

Recommended.

TRX Ti Driver

Grade: A
Teacher’s Comments: As long as any name brand driver I’ve played, at a fraction of the cost.

It’s a general truism in life that you get what you pay for. Sometimes, however, you catch a break and end up with a whole lot more.

The GigaGolf TRX Ti driver is one of those exceptions. Although in the base configuration it costs just over $100, it plays as well as any name brand driver I’ve ever owned. It’s every bit as long and straight as my TaylorMade R7, Mizuno MX-500, and Tour Edge Bazooka GeoMax.

The TRX Ti is a 460cc titanium construction driver with a movable weight system. The weights are set in a triangular configuration on the base of the driver head. Unlike other manufacturers’ weights, the TRX Ti weights can be removed and tightened with a standard Allen wrench. That saves the cost of an expensive, one-trick tool. But since it does create the need to be careful when you tighten the screws; the TaylorMade R7 wrench, in contrast, has a ratcheting device that prevents over-tightening.

At address, I think that the black driver has a powerful, aggressive look. It looks huge from above—giving you the feeling that you just can’t possibly miss the sweet spot. The top view is traditional—pear shaped, tending toward the triangular. It will appeal to players who like the classic look. The bottom is shiny and angular, with scoops for the weights.

One minus: there aren’t any alignment marks to help you out.

With my stance, the TRX TI sets up fairly square and low. I found that I had to tee the ball a bit lower than I do my TaylorMade R7. I love the way the ball feels coming off the clubface.

I’m told that the club is loud, but long-time GolfBlogger readers know that I can’t hear squat, so I have no real comment on that.

My model has 12.5 degrees of loft, and it predictably hits the ball fairly high. But that’s ok. In the wet Michigan springs, you don’t get a lot of roll on the fairway anyway.

I like this club very much, and it has found its way into my “Up North” set of clubs (I keep a set at the cottage “Up North” so I don’t have to pack the whole kit back and forth on quick weekends away.

Recommended.

GXI Hybrid Set

If one hybrid is good, nine hybrids are better!

That’s the theory behind GigaGolf’s new GX Hybrid Set. The new hollow core design has been extended from the 2 iron all the way to the sand wedge. This allows more weight to be pushed to the sole and perimeter on every club, offering more stability and forgiveness through the power of Moment of Intertia. A thin face on these also is supposed to offer greater velocity and more distance. 

The design of these irons would particularly benefit players who strike their irons with a more sweeping, rather than downward motion, or those who may not necessarily have the strength to cut through turf: seniors, juniors, and high handicappers.

To my eye, these are somewhat reminiscent of the Cleveland XLI hybrid irons—but with a better price. You can get a set for as little as $150.

GigaGolf P2 Fairway Woods

The 2008 GigaGolf P2 Fairway woods are designed with the popular new low profile design that’s supposed to help on even the tightest lies. The shallow face actually lowers the center of gravity, allowing you to get behind the ball and get it quickly up on the air. They come in 3, 5, 7 and 9! woods (good for GigaGolf. Most companies don’t offer the 9) and are constructed from 17-4 stainless steel.

GigaGolf also points out somewhat humorously that:

The black on silver finish is easy on the eyes too. Somewhat in contrast to the oh so colorful offerings by the nationally advertised tour player endorsed brands. A good choice for players who would not wear orange socks nor play with an orange fairway wood.

But the best part is the price and the guarantee. You can get one for as low as $30 and they come with a 30 day playability guarantee.

TRX Ti Driver

GigaGolf’s TRX Ti Driver features movable weights and a thin titanium face. The former can help you keep it in play; the latter gets it out far into the fairway.

Interestingly, this driver is available not only in the regular 10 and 9 degrees, but also in a 12.5 degree loft. That makes it ideal for players who have a hard time getting enough carry out of their drivers.

The best part, of course, is the price. You can have this titanium driver for under $100 with a base configuration.

TRX Ion Control

There’s a fine line between a game improvement iron and one that will satisfy the shotmakers. Add in too many improvement functions, and the ball goes straight and naught else. Enhance the shot making capabilities and you have an iron the average amateur can’t hit.

Gigagolf believes that it’s hit just the right notes with its TRX iron. It’s got a host of game improvement functions packed into a traditional shape that’s supposed to allow players to work it. The cavity has been designed to allow for significant perimeter weighting.

Plus, this has that sinister black look I like so much in irons.

C9 c455 Metals

The new Cloud Nine fairway woods from GigaGolf feature a forged variable face thickness design executed with Carpenter Steel’s justifiably famous c455 steel. Compared to similar designs from Ping, these are a good value, with price starting as low as $39.