I played with the new irons today. Ben Hogan Apex Red Lines, c. 1989. They’re wonderful. Glad I bought them. Great balance, great feel, smaller sweet spot than my 2003 Apex’s, but what a sweet spot.

I figured since I would be playing with 22-year-old irons, I should play with a driver of similar vintage, too, so I brought along my Wilson 4275. Laminated maple. Head smaller than your fairway metal. Shaft two inches shorter than my metal driver. Weighs two ounces more.

It took a few holes to get the idea, but I was hitting it straight, not as high, but it ran and ran. I lost distance, but not so much it affected how I played any of the holes on this course.

It’s going to stay in the bag. The shorter shaft and heavier weight somehow combine to give me more feel of the club throughout the swing, and swing in a more controlled way.

My two-putter experiment is working out nicely. I use an Acushnet Bullseye for everything except the shorties. For the ones about four feet and in, I use a Wilson Billy Casper mallet.

I guess this all means you can be creative with the clubs you use, and pick the ones that make you feel the best about getting the ball into the hole. And why not? Your game belongs to you, not the equipment manufacturers.

My new book, The Golfing Self, is now available at www.therecreationalgolfer.com. It will change everything about the way you play.