Kick Point: The Golf Gear Show

We kick things off with a lively discussion about Bryson DeChambeau's return to YouTube and what it says about the current landscape of professional golf and content creation. Moving into equipment, we break down testing data comparing premium tour balls to standard range balls, looking at how launch, spin, and ball speed dramatically alter performance - and why range data shouldn't always be taken as gospel. We then take a deep dive into the Takomo Ignis 2 driver, evaluating its design changes, non-conforming predecessor, shaft offerings, and overall value against top OEM brands.

Later in the show, Joe shares his hands-on experience testing the latest Graphite Design shafts, including the Tour AD FI and the new EK model. We also examine Proto Concept irons and unpack a broader debate around iron offset, testing whether it actually impacts performance or if it is purely a visual preference. Finally, we tackle viewer questions in Ask the Pod, covering everything from classic 1980s one-club TV challenges to advice on building a starter set for beginners
Watch us in FULL on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KickPointGolf
Get in touch with Dan and Joe and 'Ask The Pod' via our email: kickpointpodcast@futurenet.com
Sign up for the weekly Kick Point newsletter, released every Friday: https://www.golfmonthly.com/newsletter
Get three issues of the Golf Monthly magazine delivered to your door for just £5 at https://www.magazinesdirect.com/kickpoint
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This week, we start with a debate on green fees - how much is too much to pay for a round of golf? Joe then introduces a brand-new segment called Streets Will Never Forget, taking a deep dive into the colourful career, wild outfits, and bizarre Ryder Cup stories of cult golf hero Jarmo Sandelin. Over at the Wofcom testing site, Joe puts shaft tipping to the test to see if standard industry practices actually lower launch and spin, or if it’s all just marketing hype. Plus, we finally get hands-on with Miura irons, testing seven models from their pure MB-101 blade to forgiving hollow-body designs. To wrap up, we answer your listener questions in Ask the Pod, covering groove repair options and how to handle indoor fitting anxiety - enjoy!
Watch us in FULL on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KickPointGolf
Get in touch with Dan and Joe and 'Ask The Pod' via our email: kickpointpodcast@futurenet.com
Sign up for the weekly Kick Point newsletter, released every Friday: https://www.golfmonthly.com/newsletter
Get three issues of the Golf Monthly magazine delivered to your door for just £5 at https://www.magazinesdirect.com/kickpoint
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We kick things off with a massive head-to-head driver test, comparing the Titleist GTS3 and the TaylorMade Qi4D. With both models staying in their respective lineups for next year, are we already looking at the two best drivers of 2027? We break down how these two giants deliver top-tier performance through completely different designs, visual setups, and forgiveness characteristics. Joe also shares his latest putter journey as he tests out the Odyssey Square 2 Square Tri-Hot #7, aiming to fix his lag-putting feel without losing that incredible short-range alignment. Plus, he digs deep into the world of stout shafts, testing out the ultra-stiff Project X Titan Black and Yellow models, which leads us into a debate over the realities of shaft fitting. As always, we cap off the show with Ask The Pod, reading through your comments on zero-torque putters and analysing another incredible "Sprezzatura" golf bag setup that brought absolute retro perfection to the studio - enjoy!

Chapters:
0:00:00 Intro and waffle
0:02:59 Masters tickets every year, or play Augusta National once every ten years?
0:07:32 Joe's new putter and the effects of a putter shaft
0:14:49 What's the best 'budget' zero torque putter?
0:19:17 Project X Titan Black and Yellow shafts review
0:37:49 Titleist GTS3 vs TaylorMade Qi4D driver
0:52:17 Ask The Pod and your best vibesman bags of the week
Watch us in FULL on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KickPointGolf
Get in touch with Dan and Joe and 'Ask The Pod' via our email: kickpointpodcast@futurenet.com
Sign up for the weekly Kick Point newsletter, released every Friday: https://www.golfmonthly.com/newsletter
Get three issues of the Golf Monthly magazine delivered to your door for just £5 at https://www.magazinesdirect.com/kickpoint
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're proudly sponsored by Golf GameBook, the app that can help improve your golf game and makes golf even more fun and social. Live leaderboards, loads of different game types and a built-in GPS system make Golf GameBook a one-stop shop for your next social round. Download now; available for free on iOS and Android.

This week, we start with a serious look at golf ball performance and testing after Joe has decided he's taken this part of his equipment choices without enough gusto over recent years. We unpack our thoughts on why starting a ball fitting from the green (recommended by many) might actually be the wrong approach for many players.

We also get our teeth into team golf after the recent additions of the Solheim Cup and Presidents Cup, and argue for bringing back mixed-team match play and classic historical formats to inject much-needed fun and whimsy back into the sport. Plus, we break down how bag setup played a crucial role in Manuel Elvira's recent breakdown at Wentworth, debate the true value and role of caddies in the modern game, and take a look at a viral weighted practice club. Finally, we give our honest review of the McLaren Series 1 irons, look through some of your fantastic vibesman golf bag submissions and introduce our new favourite word, sprezzatura!

Chapters:
0:00:00 - Introduction and waffle
0:02:20 - Joe is now taking golf ball testing seriously; why?
0:19:22 - Fixing team golf & bringing back classic formats
0:32:27 - Reigniting the modern caddie debate
0:44:57 - The Viral Weighted Practice Club
0:47:45 - McLaren Series 1 Iron review
0:59:45 - Ask The Pod & listener comments
01:05:00 - What is sprezzatura & your best vibesman bags
Watch us in FULL on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KickPointGolf
Get in touch with Dan and Joe and 'Ask The Pod' via our email: kickpointpodcast@futurenet.com
Sign up for the weekly Kick Point newsletter, released every Friday: https://www.golfmonthly.com/newsletter
Get three issues of the Golf Monthly magazine delivered to your door for just £5 at https://www.magazinesdirect.com/kickpoint
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thanks to KBS for supporting this video! Check out Joe playing with a full set of KBS shafts and his favourite golf clubs from his childhood in our recent video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFRZm3BXfB0&t=711s

Welcome back to another jam-packed episode of the Kick Point Golf Show! This week, we are diving deep into the tech behind your clubs to see what actually drives distance and control. Joe puts a hollow-bodied iron (specifically the TaylorMade P790) head-to-head against a solid forged blade in the shape of the TaylorMade P7TW at identical lofts to answer a burning question: is face flexing actually delivering extra ball speed, or is it all just lower lofts? Would you be able to hit the And should more of us be using blades to make ourselves better ball strikers?

Later, we are also joined by one of Ping's chief engineers, Travis Milleman. In our interview, he breaks down how clubs are developed years in advance, how material choices unlock structural innovation, and how their team balances player feedback with robot data. Plus, Joe presents his DIY prototype driver to Travis, and we answer your listener questions in Ask the Pod - enjoy!

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
04:53 Strong fairway woods and unbranded gear
0:07:38 Callaway Tour equipment insights with Kellen Watson
0:21:20 Hollow body vs. blade iron testing at the same loft (P790 vs. P7TW)
0:33:16 Ask the Pod: Secondhand gear and bent adapter sleeves
0:44:25 Interview: Designing Ping clubs with Travis Milleman
01:08:08 Presenting the DIY driver prototype to Ping
Watch us in FULL on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KickPointGolf
Get in touch with Dan and Joe and 'Ask The Pod' via our email: kickpointpodcast@futurenet.com
Sign up for the weekly Kick Point newsletter, released every Friday: https://www.golfmonthly.com/newsletter
Get three issues of the Golf Monthly magazine delivered to your door for just £5 at https://www.magazinesdirect.com/kickpoint
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.