Hey Kev,

Technology-wise the 983 is already behind, that alone you are already giving up a lot.  A golf friend of mine did tell me something about a driver loosing its "pop" from being hit so much.  Its like the driver face has that 'spring-like effect' and like an ordinary spring it gets worn out from use and time. Another thing to think about is the graphite shaft, over time they tend to warp especially when exposed to high temp (trunk of a car). And shafts would also loose its flex over time.

And judging from what you said, 15 yards difference from driver to 5 wood seems too short. How about back in 2004? What was the distance between those clubs?

did you hit the driver and 5w on the same hole one right after another. there might be a chance that their was a tail wind the day you hit the 5w. also you may be making better contact with the 5w. here's the thing about the modernization of the driver. they have continually been improving you miss hits. so a club made back in 2004 will most likely not hit the ball as far as a new driver when you hit an off the toe or heal shot. I would recommend updating your driver if for anything the fact that your miss hits will yield better results.

Haven't seen your posts in ages. In an unrelated matter, I simplified my wedge setup to Vokey Spin-Milled 50-08, Spin-Milled cc 54-11 (55-12) and 62-07. The 50-08 works much better than either the Eye 2 W or DCI 981 P do. Gap between 9 iron and 50-08 - no problem (there is this wonderful thing called working the 9 iron over the 15 yard gap to the 50). This came about during a "shootout" between my Eye 2 and DCI 981 irons (I had the Eye 2s reshafted to TT Lite XL regular flex). So this narrows it down to the 6-9 irons in the contest.

I tell people in some of these forums "if it ain't broke don't fix it." I also have another saying "if it don't fit it don't hit" Now both of my iron sets (DCI 981 and Eye 2) have the right length, lie angle and shaft type (the former has DG Sensicore r flex and the latter has TT Lite XL r flex). Having the putter fit made a difference in my 6-10 foot putts (I miss fewer of them). My driver is 45" and that is the right length (even the pros recommend between 44-45"). I shoot in the mid-high 80s on the par 72 courses and close to par on exec courses (almost broke par on a couple occasions - missed a couple birdie putts). My weak points had been the middle clubs (140-160 yards), the 3 wood and putting (sand does need some work but not bad). That's changing because (now that the irons are zeroed in) I am hitting the ball solid with the 6 and 7 irons. I can hit the 4 and 5 iron OK but I just about never miss with the 5H. My issue with the 3 wood has been a bit of a slice - that changed because I got a R7 with a 70 gram shaft and I pretty much hit it dead straight now. Not a long distance hitter anymore (I get 240 for the driver and it goes down the middle) so mastering the short game on 400+ par 4s is key. I'm pretty deadly from 100 yards in (also came close to holing out with PW on a few occasions from 100). My 7 wood is also a "goto" club and I just about never miss with it (it has helped for scoring on the 175-185 par 3s); I've actually hit it 225 yards rock solid when I let one rip off the tee on a short par 4.

This is part 2 since I had to run an errand. Actually, simplicity (in general) is a great thing. The absolute essentials in my golf bag are driver, 7W, 5H, 6-9 irons, 3 wedges and a putter. I bring the 3 wood only if necessary and the general rule is regulation course or exec with 190+ yard par 3s. For me, dropping $1000 on the latest set of irons makes absolutely zero sense. I have one player set (the Titleists), one game improvement set; both have the shafts that work for me, the grips that fit my hands, and are dialed in. They also are reasonably easy to work. I also doubt that I would be dropping $200 for a putter, given that mine is fitted and has been putting very well. Along this line, my dad has had the same putter for 54+ years (it is his "Billy Baroo").