Titleist 906f4 fairway wood.

[Colossus]

So there I was, bored as a fart today, wandering about aimlessly watching the world go by. Course closed and haven't swung a club in anger since Saturday.

I found myself in my favourite course closed, bored stupor, place. The Pro shop at the club. Again the brand new 906f4 fairways winked at me from across the shop, and again I tried to resist its charms. Our pro has only stocked the club with the Aldila VS Proto shaft, and I'd rather have the UST V2 Proforce, to match the driver and utility. My current 906f2 has a Fujikura Speeder 952 installed, and I can hit it grand, so figured that I don't NEED the V2.

I rang round a few places, and visited a few pro shops to see if I could get the club with a V2, but nowhere had it, and they seem to be like hens teeth at the moment, with our pro shop the only place seeming to stock it. So off I trudged to the club with my 906f2 to see what sort of a deal the pro would do me for the f4. I'd hit a couple of shots off the first tee wit hit, one of the days the course was closed last week, so I was fairly sure it would be worth a punt. Five minutes later, the deal was done, goodbye old faitful 906f2, welcome new friend 906f4, and off to the range for our first test.

I just bought a small basket of balls, expecting to only hit around 20 shots. The balls at the range are truly crap, the mats so saturated they're like hitting off concrete, and so slippy, that when I took my first swing, I nearly ended up on my arse.

The one thing about my 906f2 that I didn't like, was hitting off the deck. It was so inconsistent. You never really knew where it was going to end up, and you needed a real Sunday best swing to hit it well. It was phenomenal off a tee, I could hit draws all day, but off the deck was a different matter.

I always preferred a shallow faced fairway, and this is one reason I knew I'd love the f4 over the f2. The face is shallower, the loft slightly higher 15.5* compared to 15* on the f2, and the centre of gravity is also lower. All this will help get the ball in the air, and off the tight lies on the mat, I wasn't let down. Nice high soaring ball flight, with a nice small draw shot shape, my normal stock shot. Ball after ball went past the 200 yard mark, which into a head wind and with shitty range balls wasn't half bad, swinging with no warmup, no glove, and not having hit a ball since Sunday. I was impressed.

After 10 shots I decided to experiment, and discovered just how easy it is to shape the ball both ways with this fairway. Everything from BIG hooks, small draws, dead straight, and slight fades are easily achieved with this club. A definite keeper.

As for the shaft. At 80gms, it is certainly lighter than the Speeder (95gms) I had in the 906f2, and this meant I didn't need to be absolutely perfect with my ball striking. It also wasn't a boardy shaft, but at the same time never overpowered, even with my heaviest of lashes. If I had to put it into words, I'd say this shaft was very smooth, and the ball certainly left the club with a lot of zip. I had previously tried this shaft in a Nike Sumo2 driver, and wasn't impressed, but in this fairway, it seems to pair up the head nicely.

The clubhead is a lovely shape, and sits just nicely behind the ball at address. I'd always read how Titleist equipment was only for the better player, and wouldn't suit the high handicappers eye. I can see how this has been said. The club sits absolutely square behind the ball. I'd always had fairways that were toed in slightly, and then wondered why I'd always hook the shit out of it. If anything the 906f2 I had sat slightly open at address, and our pro thought the same, so the 906f4 gave me more confidence even just at address.

All in all, I'm very happy with my purchase. I only wish the bloody course was open now, so I could see how it will cope in a pressure situation on the fairway. For now though, the signs are positive.

I'm now truly happy with my bag.

[sevenfourate]

Nice review Col.

Ive not so much as seen one yet !

I bet you cant wait to get on the course with it - and i just know patience isn't your strong point.You must be bouncing off the walls :p

[Colossus]

Nice review Col.

Ive not so much as seen one yet !

I bet you cant wait to get on the course with it - and i just know patience isn't your strong point.You must be bouncing off the walls :p

You ain't wrong mate. The range just wasn't enough. If the weather eases up on Friday, I'm gonna have to find somewhere to play. I'm going crazy. :confusedw:

[Colossus]

In fact, looking online, I'm beginning to wonder if Titleist actually released this club with the V2 Proforce shaft installed. Everywhere seems to only stock the Aldila VS Proto, or the Graphite Design YS-6+ shaft options.

EDIT****** Even Golfsmith in the States are only stocking these two options. Why have Titleist decided not to stock the V2 in this fairway? Very strange.

[sevenfourate]

Get it sorted Col.

Your their biggest customer.You must have some "clout" ! :p

[Colossus]

Get it sorted Col.

Your their biggest customer.You must have some "clout" ! :p

I wish mate. We'll see. I'll get the job done, and while I'm at it, I'll get the 52* Spin Milled Vokeys released as well. :wink:

[Nikey Mikey]

I wish mate. We'll see. I'll get the job done, and while I'm at it, I'll get the 52* Spin Milled Vokeys released as well. :wink:

Good luck with that one. I think you'll find Titleist didn't realise it for a reason, too much spin! :rolleyes:

[Colossus]

Good luck with that one. I think you'll find Titleist didn't realise it for a reason, too much spin! :rolleyes:

Only tour issue Mikey. Theres a pro in the US playing 52* AND 48* spin milled Vokeys. :wink: Only option I have left is to play my way on to the tour and ask Brian nicely for a set. [/dream mode off]

[Tin Pot]

Nice review Col, I'm hoping to replace my V Steel with the f4 when they come about. I read the review at Sandtrap a while ago, iirc they're designed with the "aspiring golfer" in mind :wink: lower centre of gravity and slightly more loft to get it up in the air easier.

The head size isn't any bigger is it? I can't stand big faces on fairway woods.

I'll certainly be interested to try them though I love the 906f2, it could also be in danger :smile:

[Stuarty1234]

Col i heard u bought another club, tut tut tut. :smile:

[Colossus]

Nice review Col, I'm hoping to replace my V Steel with the f4 when they come about. I read the review at Sandtrap a while ago, iirc they're designed with the "aspiring golfer" in mind :wink: lower centre of gravity and slightly more loft to get it up in the air easier.

The head size isn't any bigger is it? I can't stand big faces on fairway woods.

I'll certainly be interested to try them though I love the 906f2, it could also be in danger :smile:
TP, if you like the size of the f2 head, but prefer a smaller clubface, although slightly wider, but shallower, then you're gonna love this club. Looking down its no different, but so much easier to hit and get up in the air.
Col i heard u bought another club, tut tut tut. :smile:
You know me by now Stu. If you fancy a good cheap 906f2 3 wood, take a run over to the pro shop at Portadown.You know how well you hit it on the range the last time we were all there. :wink:

[Stuarty1234]

I might just re grip the one i bought off u, get my cash up in the pro shop first, try and get a few 2s this year

[QuestionableCarrot]

Col you have a serious problem with golf equipment. If you want to talk anytime you know I am here for you; might be able to put you in touch with someone...

[Colossus]

Col you have a serious problem with golf equipment. If you want to talk anytime you know I am here for you; might be able to put you in touch with someone...

I'd be more worried about you Al. You seem to be getting as bad as me recently. You just haven't started spending yet, thats all. :wink:

[Nick Davis]

if the wind dies down a bit I might spend my lunch down a local shop that I know has the 906f4 in both the YS6 and VS Proto shafts in both stiff and regular flex shafts.

Am quite interested int his club myself now that I've seen one.

The r7 isnt living up to my expectations so i'll be going back to the V-steel soon (you can expect to see the r7 in the trades section this weekend) but will definitely hit the 906f4 at some point.

Hit one indoors the other day on a launch monitor but the guy running the monitor didnt seem to be able to set it up properly...couldnt even get the cameras to see my r7 balls flight. Saw the 906f4 flight OK but not the r7 which admittedly was lower..

Anyone know what the practical differences are between the YS6+ shaft and the VS Proto 80???????????

[Danielsawbridge]

Anyone know what the practical differences are between the YS6+ shaft and the VS Proto 80???????????

Apart from the weight Nick. :rolleyesw::rolleyesw:
The vs proto in clubs i ve tried will launch lower than the YS6+. The vs proto i have found to be a slightly stiffer shaft to flex.

But that just my experiences

[Stu-Pid]

The r7 isnt living up to my expectations so i'll be going back to the V-steel soon (you can expect to see the r7 in the trades section this weekend) but will definitely hit the 906f4 at some point.

Just out of interest Nick, what's wrong with the V-Steel? Or are you just bored and after a new project? ;)

[Nick Davis]

Just out of interest Nick, what's wrong with the V-Steel? Or are you just bored and after a new project? ;)

I want a slightly shallower face to help take the ball off tight dryish fairway (our course can be quite windswept and dries out quite easily) lies in the summer (hence the r7 experiment) and also potentially a little more in the way of "launch"...even with the NVS shaft I still seem to launch quite low (but then I do get a goodly amount of roll!!).

I might still play around with an alternative shaft to see if I can get more launch but the 906f4 looks a nice shallow faced club with a flat sole that allows it to sit close to the ground....the Ping G10 3 wood is the only other three wood i've found that sits similarly close to the ground. Tried a stock reg flex in the G10 (but hit it all over the place as it was tood soft) and the UST 65 High Launch in stiff (but never really felt that comfortable with the UST....its an odd sort of shaft that I've never realy got on with whenever I've tried it)...will defo try the G10 in stiff stock before I part with any of the folding stuff.:o

[Stu-Pid]

will defo try the G10 in stiff stock before I part with any of the folding stuff.:o

I was surprised at just how much bigger the G10 head was when compared to the V Steel, it just looked huge! :eek:

I must admit that I have been tempted by the Titleist myself, as I love the 905R driver, but at the moment I've just got so much confidence with my V Steel that I couldn't imagine changing it.

If it starts to misbehave though... ;)

[PowerPenguin]

I was surprised at just how much bigger the G10 head was when compared to the V Steel, it just looked huge! :eek:

I must admit that I have been tempted by the Titleist myself, as I love the 905R driver, but at the moment I've just got so much confidence with my V Steel that I couldn't imagine changing it.

If it starts to misbehave though... ;)

You could try a Mizuno F-60, they look nice. Plus it matches the irons and the wedges!

Dave

[Colossus]

I must admit that I have been tempted by the Titleist myself, as I love the 905R driver, but at the moment I've just got so much confidence with my V Steel that I couldn't imagine changing it.
Stu, thats half the battle mate. I've never had confidence in ANY 3 wood I've had in the bag apart from the SQ, but it was toed in slightly, and for some reason just never really fitted my eye. It matched the driver I had, and the wedges, and I very nearly went all Nike looking at the blades in the pro shop.

But since getting the 906f4 my confidence has soared. On our course during the winter, there's a spare green on the front 9, and they use that, and make two holes out of our 4th. 4b is a 230 yard par 4, over a ditch at the 210-ish yard mark. Last Friday, with a very slight wind into me, I used the f4 and stuck it on the green, leaving myself a 12 foot putt for eagle, and because my confidence was sky high after the tee shot, I drained the eagle putt no problem at all. Our 17th has also been my bogey hole in the past, a good drive putting me almost within range of the green, only for me to push a 3 wood into the river that runs alongside the hole. Since buying the f4 I've been up towards the green, and nowhere near getting my ball wet with my second shot. It's so good, I'm actually thinking about getting the 5 wood with the same shaft.

[Tin Pot]

Stu, thats half the battle mate. I've never had confidence in ANY 3 wood...

Slightly OT but my problems with my 3 wood only seem to appear on the 18th, which is a slight upsloping fairway to the green. I'm taking the 3 wood to the practise hole and taking my 30 practise balls from an uphill lie to sort the fecker out.

...I'll be lucky if I have 15 balls left at the end of the session I reckon :(

[Nick Davis]

Apart from the weight Nick. :rolleyesw::rolleyesw:
The vs proto in clubs i ve tried will launch lower than the YS6+. The vs proto i have found to be a slightly stiffer shaft to flex.

But that just my experiences

Spot on Dan.

This is exactly what I found when I demod them side by side this afternoon. Preferred the responsiveness of the YS6 but given the limited testing I was allowed I didnt feel it demonstrated enough of a performance enhancement over my r7 NVS65 stiff. Might just buy myself a YS6 shaft and have a play 'cos the flight I got off it in a 906f4 was certainly closer to what I wanted.

[Danielsawbridge]

Spot on Dan.

This is exactly what I found when I demod them side by side this afternoon. Preferred the responsiveness of the YS6 but given the limited testing I was allowed I didnt feel it demonstrated enough of a performance enhancement over my r7 NVS65 stiff. Might just buy myself a YS6 shaft and have a play 'cos the flight I got off it in a 906f4 was certainly closer to what I wanted.

Golfetail at all Nick?

[Nick Davis]

Golfetail at all Nick?

had a brief look earlier but they didnt appear to have any, when I get a bit of time i'll have a better search

[Danielsawbridge]

had a brief look earlier but they didnt appear to have any, when I get a bit of time i'll have a better search

How did i guess? Other place is a shop i use in the states. I ll give them an email and see if they have any in, if you want. I want a couple of bits and bobs off them also.

So it was a ys-6 in grandad flex wasn't it:yes::yes::laugh:

[Nick Davis]

How did i guess? Other place is a shop i use in the states. I ll give them an email and see if they have any in, if you want. I want a couple of bits and bobs off them also.

So it was a ys-6 in grandad flex wasn't it:yes::yes::laugh:

YS6+ .350" tip size in regular flex thank you very much!!!!

seem to be about $70 at Golfworks and Golfsmith.

[Danielsawbridge]

YS6+ .350" tip size in regular flex thank you very much!!!!

seem to be about $70 at Golfworks and Golfsmith.

I ll have a look tomorrow morning. Their details are at home and i m stuck at work. I ll let you know tomorrow

Dan