Louisville Niblick

Reviewed by: docrog ,  Shoots in the 70s

Model Reviewed:
Persimmon woods

Summary:
I am probably the least likely person to advocate persimmon woods due to the fact that I'm maybe one of the shortest-hitting, mid 70's player in the world. Virtually everyone asks me why I don't usually hit my Callaway 460cc titanium driver to get a bit more distance. (My usual distance from the tee ball is 215-230 with normal swing). The only answer that I can give them is when I was very young, the PGA championship was held several blocks from my house at Southern Hills CC. My father and I were watching several players during the practice rounds, when everyone else was following Palmer, and SEVERAL times you could hear the player saying to his caddie, "what will keep me in the fairway, this rough is ridiculous", etc. I can't really tell you why hearing this stayed in my head, but it did. I played on both the High School and (small) college teams, being outdriven by virtually everyone, but always managed to play the #1,2 or 3 position. Recently I came across an interview with Hale Irwin when he was burning up the Senior Tour a few years back, and he plainly stated that if he could be GUARANTEED that he would always be in the fairway, he would gladly give up 15-20 yards of distance. Now, given that everyone wants to play "bomb and gouge", it isn't very exciting to just place your tee shot in the middle of the fairway some 225 yards off the tee, leaving about 160-170 to the green when everyone else is trying to swing from their heels and hit a sand wedge for the second shot, but let me ask you straight; and I really want you to think for a second before answering to yourself, which is more exciting; bombing one 280-290 ish not knowing whether or not you might still be in play and therefore having to chip out from behind the trees, or saying to your playing partners--it sure was fun watching you bomb it all day.....oh by the way, you shot 83 and I shot a 74??? I own several sets of Louisville golf persimmon woods, including the Classic 50's set, the Niblick fairway woods and the Thumper driver. Choose any, but just ask yourself what you are trying to accomplish. If you sometimes struggle with getting the ball on the green from outside of about 160 yards, absolutely give the Niblicks a try. If you need to hit the ball with a massive amount of control, and then roll the ball, give the Classic 50's a try. I will ask you one more time, and again I am in the minority, distance or accuracy? Giving yourself the chance to possibly hit every fairway and every green and having a "boring" round of 71 or 72 is very appealing to most amateurs.
BTW--I did win the United States Hickory Open earlier this year in North Carolina using Hickory shafted Persimmon woods and irons on a Donald Ross course where you HAD to keep it in play. It is my opinion that for each extra fairway, and esp. each extra green that you hit, your score will drop by at least one shot--depending upon how far offline that your tee ball normally goes. Also, keep practing on getting your chips close and work on those 4 footers. You may never play for money on the PGA tour, but close to boring par golf is really a great thing!

Reviewed by: A V Twiss ,  Shoots in the 80s

Model Reviewed:
Persimmon Golf 3 wood TT DG R300

Summary:
Louisville Golf Niblicks are marketed in the UK under the name Persommon Golf. Louiville ships the heads to the UK and Persimmon Golf assembles them. I tried to order a Niblick direct from Louisville Golf and they referred me to Persimmon Golf. Quite ethical I would say. I wanted to try a persimmon club because I find that my Sonartec NP99 is quite difficult to hit off a tight fairway. My home course has links type turf with tight lies. My first experiences with the Niblick were not particularly positive. It requires a smooth swing to make a good contact but ones I had got the hang of it I now find I can hit it between 210 and 220 off the deck. The flight pattern is much lower than with the Sonartec. The steel shaft may have something to do with this. Off a low tee peg I hit it about 225. Distance wise I am sure that it is a little shorter than the Sonartec, probably by about half a club. Accuracy is superior but I can't tell you why. I only know that the dispersion pattern is much tighter. Feel is completely different. In the first place the club is much heavier and there is distinct "thwack" when you meet the ball. It does not sound as powerful as the right from a well struck metal but there is something deeply safisfying about hearing a distinctive "crack" and then watching the ball fly down the fairway. Poor swings are severely punished. Definitely an acquired taste and not for everyone but if you have a smooth swing and don't try to leap at the ball you will be rewareded with almost comparable distance, tight dispersion and a feel like no other.

Just one other criticism. Why on earth did the suppliers give me a leather head cover? Totally unsuitable for British weather.

Only giving 3 starts fro value as they are expensive compared to US prices. Even with VAT and import duty.

Customer Service:
Persimmon golf were very helpful in deciing the best shaft option for me. Built from scratch and delivered in a week.

Similar Products Used:
Powerbilt citation 5 wood. Awsome head, long and straight but the leather grip was a pain.

Reviewed by: korndog ,  Shoots in the 80s

Model Reviewed:
7 wood

Summary:
I have had the 7 wood for 2 years now, and have just decided to add a 5 wood. There is simply no other wood that compares for my game. Any lie will result in a high trajectory shot, with a sweet sounding Thwack and a dead straight shot.

Customer Service:
Exclellent

Reviewed by: MulliparMatt ,  Shoots in the 80s

Model Reviewed:
Louisville Niblick 3 wood Graff Blue R

Summary:
Have played this club with the Graffalloy Blue reg flex shaft for over a year now, and have nothing but good things to say about it. Just as long as metal when hit on the insert--the longest being 250yds off the tee( I have a swing speed in the mid 90's). You can have these made up with just about any shaft or swingweight you want. I like D2 swing weighted clubs--club has great balance with D2. Like the V shaped sole--gives you the option of hitting 200yd shots out of the rough, unlike the oversize fairway wood heads that seem to dominate the market. Have their driver also, yet with both clubs it's important to hit the face insert in order to get good distance, and it's just so much easier in the 3 wood--so I use that club more often. If you have been reluctant to buy this 3 woood since you have to order them, I say go for it--as long as you put a decent shaft in it I pretty much guarantee you'll really like the club. The only downside is that you'll have to get it refinished every few years--but that's not too expensive.

Customer Service:
Great

Similar Products Used:
Callaway Steelhead Plus 3,5--a classic
Titleist 980f
Mizuno Blue Rage--did'nt like