Review: Bombtech Golf Grenade2 Driver

Written by: Tony Korologos | Tuesday, May 22nd, 2018
Categories: Golf Clubs • Golf Equipment • Golf Gear • Reviews
Tags: BombTech Golf

Back in June of 2014 I reviewed the Bombtech Golf Grenade Driver. It became my gamer driver until my dad confiscated it from me and refused to give it back after trying it. At 82, he’s still killing that driver and it even has a stiff shaft. Four years later I’ve now gotten my hands on the 2nd iteration of the Grenade, the Grenade2. I’ve got the Grenade2 Driver as part of a current combo on the Bombtech website which includes a free 3-wood. Let’s take a look at the Grenade2 Driver. Pull the pin.

Grenade2 Driver

While the first version of the driver is an excellent driver, version 2 improves in the area of weighting and aerodynamics.

The Grenade2 driver features a dual cavity design in the club head. This design shifts the weighting to the center and perimeter, and helps with aerodynamics, reducing drag. The more deeper and lower the center of gravity is, the better the driver can launch the ball with lower spin.

The hitting area of the club face is very large, which helps on those “off” center shots. Let’s face it. Every club out there will produce a great result if the impact point is in the sweet spot. It’s how good the club performs on non-sweet spot shots is more important for most golfers, myself included.

Specs

The face material is Ti-1188 hardened titanium. The head weighs in at 199 grams. The head is 450cc’s, 10cc’s lower than the maximum allowed by golf’s governing bodies.

The lie is 59* while the face of the club is closed 1 degree. One degree closed is typical of most drivers for amateurs. Length: 45.75 inches.

No, the head is not adjustable.

The shaft is a custom Grenade branded model with a mid kick point and a mid-high launch. My shaft of choice is stiff.

The grip is a custom grip with a grenade on the end of the handle.

Head Cover

The zippered head cover is nice, with some great graphics. Here is the head cover combo:

3-wood and Grenade2 driver with covers

3-Wood

This review is primarily the Grenade2 driver, but I will mention the 3-wood here since I got it as part of the special combo. The 3-wood matches the driver with the dual cavity. The look and style are also right in line with the driver. It’s a solid 3-wood!

Grenade 3-wood

On The Course

I’ve been testing the Grenade2 Driver for about six weeks now at 3+ rounds and 2-3 range sessions per week. I was surprised at how easily I could hit the Grenade2, from the first ball I hit. The club sets up nice visually and despite the fact that I had a 9 degree, it didn’t look too steep or unforgiving.

I was worried about not hitting the Grenade2 high enough, but that concern ended with the first couple of shots. It did take me a while to figure out ball position, probably due to the shaft more than the club head. Because of the kick and launch angle, I found that I had to tee the ball up fairly low. I thought with a 9 I’d have to tee it higher. Even with the 9 teed lower, I still launch it as high or higher than my previous 10.5 degree driver.

The sound and feel off the face is terrific, and it produces a very lively and hot feel with high ball speed. The ball explodes off the face while the feedback through feel and sound is rewarding.

Off-center shots still go very far and are not too far off line.

Final Thoughts

The performance of the Grenade2 driver equals or betters big brand name drivers and does it at 50%-60% of the cost. Did I mention that includes a free 3-wood? Pull the pin. BOOM!

Review: Puma Ignite PWRADAPT Disc – Golf Shoes

Written by: Tony Korologos | Saturday, May 19th, 2018
Categories: Golf Apparel • Golf Gear • Reviews
Tags: Cobra Golf • Puma • Puma Golf

What’s the minimum miles walked before posting a legit golf shoe review? I’m going with 125+. I figure I’ve put that many miles (still going) on these Puma Ignite PWRADAPT Disc – golf shoes:

They don’t look as clean and pristine now, but they’re still in fantastic shape. Let’s take a look at the Ignite PWRADAPT Disc golf shoes.

Puma Ignite PWRADAPT Disc Golf Shoes Features

The PWRADAPT technology provides traction and stability in the bottom of the shoe, along with “tornado” cleats.

IGNITE foam in the sole, “adapts” to the terrain and all the flexing and turning of the golfer’s feet. The foam provides cushion and insulation to help reduce fatigue and aches/pains in the lower body.

The “performance mesh” of the upper in the shoe looks sort of like wet suit material. The mesh is very flexible but supports the feet comfortably. The shoe does boast a 2-year waterproof guarantee, so perhaps there’s something to the wet suit comment. The upper is also supported by the PWRFRAME. I know. I know. PWRTHIS and PWRTHAT. My spell checker is going nuts.

The disc system is for lacing/tightening the shoe. The “laces” are a coated metal wire which is tightened by the disc when rotated clockwise. To loosen just pop the disc counter-clockwise and it pops open.

Colors/Sizes

The Ignite PWRADAPT Disc golf shoes are available currently in three colors. Black (shown here), as well as a tan and a light gray. I hope to snag a pair of the light grays for “scripting purposes.”

Sizes range from 7-14.

The fit of the shoe is accurate. If you wear a 10, order a 10. This cannot be said for some other golf shoe makers where it is a bit of a crap shoot.

On The Course

I wore these at the office for a few hours before my first round, just in case there were any issues or quick breaking in needed. No issues. After a short time I knew I could walk the course in them fine, and that same day I walked one of the most hilly courses in town, comfortably.

Since then I’ve confidently gamed the Ignite PWRADAPT Disc golf shoes with great results. I find the shoes to be very comfortable. I have never encountered a traction problem. My feet have never slipped in the 125+ miles I’ve used them.

The disc/lace system is very cool. The disc opens very wide, allowing easy entry of the foot into the shoe. Since I’m using in a parking lot sitting on my rear bumper, this is a welcome benefit. Same goes for removing the shoes. Pop the disc and open wide for easy exit.

Once my feet are in before my round, I’ll tighten the disc system just slightly for walking around, to/from the parking lot and such. Once I hit the range or get ready to start making real golf swings, I’ll crank the discs down and tighten up the shoes for best fit, adaptability and traction.

I have worn these in very light rain but have not had the chance to fully experience how well they perform in heavier rain and wet conditions. I have no reason not to believe they’ll perform very well.

Video

A quick video review:

Final Thoughts

The Ignite PWRADAPT Disc golf shoes perform highly in three most important HOG golf shoe criteria: performance, comfort, and style. High marks across the board. #winning

First Look: 2018 Srixon Z-Star and Z-Star XV Golf Balls

Written by: Tony Korologos | Friday, May 18th, 2018
Categories: Golf Balls • Golf Equipment • Golf Gear
Tags: Golf Balls • Srixon

In for review from Srixon are the 2018 Z-Star and Z-Star XV golf balls. These are the top of the Srixon line.

It has been five years since I reviewed the Z-Stars, dating back to my 2013 Z-Star golf ball review and the 2013 Z-Star XV golf ball review. The Z-Star is a super golf ball and I’m anxious to see how the ball has changed and improved over the last five years.

The Z-Star (above) is the softer of the two balls, with the XV model (below) being the harder one for higher swing speeds.

I plan to put these into play over the next 4-6 weeks. So look for my full review of each ball around the end of June 2018, with social updates on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook in the interim.

Iron Game – Something’s Got to Give

Written by: Tony Korologos | Thursday, May 17th, 2018
Categories: Golf • Hackers • Miscellaneous
Tags: Ben Hogan Golf • Bridgestone Golf • Miura

I’ve been putting in lots of practice this season compared to the last few. I live next to one of my home courses now, so it is more convenient. The last couple of years my ball striking has been quite suspect, especially the irons. This season the work has me feeling much better physically, and hitting the ball very solid and farther than the last couple of years. But I’m not hitting the irons accurately. I’ve been averaging 33% greens in regulation (thanks to Shot Scope V2 statistics), which is not good for where I want to be. I’m a deadly putter, but if I’m missing 66% of my greens, my deadly putting is trying to save par or bogey, instead of trying to make birdie or at the worst, par.

Look who's winning the Thursday audition. @MiuraGolfInc pic.twitter.com/M5VOPNsZV4

— Tony Korologos (@TheGolfSpace) May 18, 2018

I started this season gaming my old 2002 Hogan Apex Edge Pros because those were what I hit the best early in the season. I’m still hitting them solid, but not accurately. The last two 9-hole league days which were 3 GIR and 2 GIR respectively, where the last straw. Tonight I hit the range for an open audition with three sets of irons I own. I had many, many more sets, but scaled them down in the fall when I moved.

Tonight it was a test between my Hogans, the Bridgestone J15DF Driving Irons, and the Miura Series 1957 Limited Edition Small Blades.

I had to put the Miuras away last season because I started s****ing them. But early this season I s****ed a couple with the Hogans too. I changed my setup as part of my move was pulling me closer to the ball at impact. That seemed to solve the problem (knocks on wood).

In tonight’s audition I all but re-fell in love with the Miuras. They flew very high and straight, and felt like butter. The only club I had issues with was the 4-iron. It’s so damn small it’s like the club face is the size of a quarter. Still, with how great I was hitting the rest of the set, they have won the starting position once again. I’m tempted to put the Hogan 4-iron in with them, as it still is a great club for me, and probably easier to hit than the Miura.

The Bridgestones, as great as they are, just didn’t work. I think something has changed in my swing and the shafts aren’t quite a match at the moment.

Blade-a-licious! Could you hit this?

So there it is. I’m switching irons two weeks before the biggest, most important tournament of the season, and the one that means the most to me. Nothing much to lose. I can only hit a couple less greens in regulation per round before I’m down to zero.

Review: MyCharge AdventureMax Rugged Portable Charger

Written by: Tony Korologos | Wednesday, May 16th, 2018
Categories: Golf Accessories • Golf Gear • Reviews
Tags: myCharge

Whether golfing, exploring the outdoors, traveling, or just doing our daily routine, we rely on our mobile devices for communication, guidance, research, photos/videos and more. We all end up in a situation where we’re low on battery power and there’s nowhere to plugin and charge up. Enter MyCharge, maker of a large selection of portable chargers. I’ve reviewed a few MyCharge units previously, check the links at the end of this review. Today we are looking at the AdventureMax rugged portable charger.

AdventureMax Feaatures

AdventureMax ($49.99) is a portable mobile charger with a battery capacity of 10500mAh. The internal 10500mAh Lithium Ion battery holds enough power to extend the battery life of a smartphone, tablet or other USB powered device up to six times.

The unit offers two USB ports, allowing simultaneous charge of multiple USB devices and can even charge devices while it is being charged. With “Hyper-charge” the unit can charge devices up to 65% faster, and the unit charges up to 50% faster than other brands.

The casing of the unit is rugged and includes a carabiner clip to hang it on bags, tents, backpacks etc.

On The Course / In Action

When I do my golf blogging and traveling I rely on a couple of USB devices, my Google Pixel phone and a small Sony pocket camera. Both charge via USB. I even use some golf GPS devices which charge via USB as well.

I use the camera a ton when doing golf course reviews and golf travel reviews. On some golf press trips I’m away from wall power for 12+ hours. I rely on my MyCharge to keep my phone and camera charged so I can capture all the imagery and post social posts.

Final Comments

MyCharge makes great portable charging and USB accessories. My AdventureMax is invaluable for me on the road and it performs perfectly. Consider the AdventureMax as a great gift for Father’s Day, Christmas, birthdays and more.

MyCharge HubMax portable charger

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