Ogio Schling and Cleveland HiBore XL put to test on golf trip

When I tell people that I play golf and test golf equipment and get paid to do so, they often suggest that it must be the easiest, best gig there is.

And while I agree that it’s better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, I wish folks could understand the difficulties inherent in attempting to plumb the depths of a course in just one round.

Seriously. Quit smirking.

Worse yet is trying to evaluate a new driver or fairway wood or wedge after taking just several dozen swings on the range and course. (NOTE: This is still a lot more than most golf publications do, though.)

I’m currently playing my way around Southern California, and certain equipment snafus have risen up like an angry rattler and bitten me after just one round.

The first came as I was packing up my clubs, and realized that the Ogio Schling carrying system is too rigid and bulky to fit in even the top of the line Club Glove’s Last Bag travel bag.

Off went the nifty yolk-like device, and now I have to carry my bag everywhere with one hand.

Good thing I’m so buff.

Again, enough with the smirking.

The second was the shaft of the new Cleveland HiBore XL driver. Now, I like a stiff shaft (OK Butt-head, that one deserves a snicker), but the Fujikura Fit-On Red shaft on this thing is extremely stiff, and it wasn’t until about the last six holes at Robinson Ranch in Santa Clarita that I figured out how to keep it from drifting into the right rough, or worse, the scrub brush that lines most holes at that fine layout. By that time, though, my round was devastated by penalty strokes.

Fortunately, this blog allows me to update some reviews (like the Schling), and preface others (like the HiBore XL).

Still, it’s ever so taxing to have to deal with equipment snafus while on the road.

Really. It is.

Quit mocking me.

That’s it, I’m going to the day spa.