First round of the year with all new gear

I did my first round of the year (I know I am late) this weekend using the following new gear

Takomo 201MK II

Garmin G82 + CT10 sensor

Sketcher GG Elite Vortex shoes

I have always been a good iron striker. So I didn't have any issue using the Takomo 201 MK II ( came from TaylorMade RBZ). My driver, on the other, was a pure disaster. That's a story for another time. anyway, I started the game with some less than optimal condition. The course was wet, hit my driver about 90 yards into the rough. After a few questionable shot, I managed to hole out from a chip just outside the green for a bogey.

The rest of the 9 was terrible as I took a penalty shot on almost every hole due to me not being able to hit my driver. The issue is not the gear, it's me. Ending up with a 52. I would normally average 45 so this wasn't good for me but it's the first game of the season. I didn't care so much. Putting was pretty good. I had the green speed figured out pretty quick. Never did more than 2 putt average during the whole round. No complains there.

The second 9 was more of the same although, I did managed to drive decent on 2 holes. So there is hope for my driver there. I think I have a mental block because when I go on the driving range. I can hit it fine. I ended up with another 52 on the back 9. Not a good score but it will get better. I was actually hitting the Takomo pretty well regardless of the score. I don't think the score reflects all the good shot I did. I wasn't there to score. I was there to tame the distance with the new irons.

As far as the Garmin G82 + CT10 is concern. I didn't have any issue except 1 hole. I didn't have any data whatsoever for no reason. All of the other holes I had my shot data. I wish the screen was brighter but I looked into settings at the end of the round and it was set at 60% by default. The thing I look back the most is the distance and virtual caddie features. This was really helpful getting some pretty yardage when it comes to my iron strike. The suggestion was in line to what I was hitting with them for that day. as for the shoes, no complain, super comfortable.

Once in a while, I was hitting the ball pure and I there was a huge 20 yards difference between what I was hitting on average. I think i need to work to get a more consistent strike every time. I know I am capable of hitting the ball pretty far with my irons but maybe I need to tame this back a little and always hit the same average distance. Going from 156 to 180 yards with the same 7 irons can be the difference between being on the green or pass the green

Either way, it was a good game. I enjoy myself. I didn't get mad on bad shot. I was in the I am new gear mode. It's ok, if things don't go my way. it really help making better recovery shot.