TJ Crawford's Abstract Ideas

So a few months back I updated my Driver from the Cleveland HiBore XL from 2007 with the Cleveland Launcher DST. I will say I really tried hard to go the Titleist his year as I love the looks and marketing around the 909D line but I just didn't hit them as well.

Moving from the HiBore to the Launcher (which I have not liked the looks of in years past) was seamless. Usually you have that period where your hitting it well but can't really put it where your looking, however I had none of this break-in time. The best part is I got another 7 to 20 yards depending on how hard I choose to swing at it.  I got the Tour version which is 430CC's instead of the 460CC of the regular version. I found that my club head speed suffered by about 4-7 mph with the larger head. That has been the case for the last few drivers I bought, so if you have not tried a bit smaller head you might want to.  The major improvement is the sound, the HiBore wasn't known for it's solid acoustics but the Launcer's is light years different and better. i also like the larger grip. I'm not sure if it's an extra wrap larger or more but it fits in my hands alot better. With that said, my only complaint here is that it does make it harder to work the ball. The larger grip and longer shaft are likely the culprits here. It just doesn't respond as much to the rolling over and holding off of my hands. Also i would have like to have seen a few more loft options other than the  8.5, 9.5 & 10.5 in the tour versions. The 460CC version comes in 9, 10.5 & 12 degree lofts.

Overall this was a great update to my bag and welcome addition with the extra distance down the fairway. Being able to switch from 3 year old tech to new and not have to suffer much was fantastic.

Thanks to a friend of mine Scott Hilson for mentioning a great new course in Verdi, NV. Crystal Peak is touted as the only Love design on the west coast, is an absolutely fantastic layout. This track is not for the feint at heart though. It’s not tremendously long but you definitely have to hit well directioned shots. The green fees are super reasonable and for Trevor and I to play was $65. Definitely felt very economical considering the challenge and layout.

The fairways were in good shape but it was the greens that stood out. We waled the course which let you take more of the picturesque qualities on most of the holes. They look like they had barely been played on and rolled very true. I definitely am having some internal conflict on writing a blog post because the less people know about it the easier it will be to get another tee time.

I have just one gripe and it would be that on the Par 3 third hole there were several branches that hung out right in the flight path of the back tees. I don’t mind trees being strategically placed but for a 122 yard par 3 it just doesn’t make sense to hit and hope you don’t hit a branch right down the middle.

The Numbers
9 Hole, Par 36
3,274 From the Tips & 2,558 from the forward tees
Rating 71.2 & Slope 131 again from the tips

Crystal Peak Golf Course
(775) 345-1551