The Quick Strike is a “fusion” or “hybrid” wood/iron that was inspired by the successful design of the TaylorMade Rescue line. The Quick Strike has a look of its own and includes some obvious design variations from the Rescues. The head shape and design are roughly similar to those of the Rescue. The Snake Eyes head is larger and wider. It falls slightly more to “wood” side of the hybrid, iron/wood scale. It actually looks like a skinny, little wood. The titanium-headed Rescue is more compact with a smaller, rounded, tungsten sole plate. The Dynacraft Jackaroo’s, conversely, are slightly inclined in the “iron” direction of the spectrum.
The appearance of these, like all Snake Eyes clubs, is absolutely first-rate. When this head is mated to an Aldila TGW 60, the result is particularly attractive and expensive looking. Every Snake Eyes club we have tested has had broad, universal appeal and a high degree of “likeability”. This one is no exception.
The sole on these Snake Eyes is flatter than those of the Rescues or Jackeroo’s. Two 20 gram tungsten weights have been added to assist in getting the ball airborne. Both the Rescues and the Jackeroo’s do an excellent job in getting the ball out of bad lies, but the Quick Strikes seem to have an advantage in workability due to its sole design. Cutting the ball for high, exaggerated fades is very easy. Normal trajectories vary from tester to tester. Some have been able to produce whatever they desire from this hybrid. As a basic rule, golfers should expect shot patterns with these Quick Strikes akin to 4-irons; more height than a 3-iron; less height than a 9-wood and slightly less distance than the average 7-wood. Results will vary greatly depending upon shaft configuration and playing style of users.
The two shafts tested on the Quick Strikes have produced totally different results and feels. The True Temper Rocket steel in “S” gives a very solid, “punchy” feel to the club while the Aldila in “R” imparts a sweet, sensitive feel that encourages the golfer to a smoother, easier swing. The swingweight on the graphite came in at a very low C6. The overall weight is exceptionally low. The steel version feels more like an aggressive, trouble club. A solid click occurs at impact and a greater sense of control is apparent. The graphite version comes across as a long-range approach club. The shorter, steel version swings more like an iron while the graphite version swings more like a fairway wood.
The Quick Strike is a very forgiving club – much more so than a long iron. With graphite, the sensation at impact is exceedingly smooth. It is not, as is the case with the Rescue, “like butter”, however. The Rescue remains the most mellow-feeling wood we have tested – when it is hit flush. The Quick Strike is not that far behind in sweetness, though. For some, it’s the winner. Off-center hits actually register less discomfort than with the Rescues.
In head to head testing with the Jackeroo from Dynacraft the results were mixed. The graphite Quick Strike is the smoothest and most favored of the four, but only by a very narrow margin. The less expensive Jackeroo head with the Center Force graphite was its equal in most regards, lacking only a little in silkiness and soaring trajectories. In steel versions, the Jackeroo with the XL Lite was favored for smoothness over the “punchy” Quick Strike Rocket version. Stronger swingers, of course, preferred the Rocket version, but most low-handicappers have shown little interest in these hybrid clubs no matter how well they hit with them. It has the wrong image for most lower-handicapped players.
From the heavy rough, all four performed exceptionally well. The Quick Strikes hit it out higher and longer, but the Jackaroos showed better control and won for easily for accuracy. As to workability, the advantage went to the Snake Eyes. They are exceptional in this regard. High, soaring fades and cuts can be brought down soft and steep. Knockdowns and low, long draws are equally easy. This gives the Quick Strikes great versatility. Some testers have been able to predictably vary their intended target ranges from 160 to 195 yards from shot to shot.
Fickle-heartedness often plagues our testers as new club options keep cycling through. The Snake Eyes have proven able to endure the test of time. We like them even more now than we did three months ago. The Quick Strike has been used almost every day since its arrival at our range. Our impressions of it have only gotten better. Whenever someone is having trouble nailing their woods we hand them a Quick Strike to smooth them down.
The Quick Strike’s are also developing quite a dedicated national following. All seem to praise their ease and versatility. It’s not just the crew that loves these clubs.
Both versions of these Snake Eyes have proven very easy to hit for all testers. The Quick Strikes have worked well for everyone. All have enjoyed hitting them, as well. Of particular note has been our last tester: Bill is a 75+ year old who is a devoted participant in local, amateur tournaments. He plays constantly and has the most consistent swing. He is accurate with all clubs, but the Quick Strike/Aldila combination brought him an easy soaring trajectory that he had been missing in recent years. His half swing dropped one shot after another unerringly at the 150 pin. Moderate roll gave him a total of 160 or so. He tried the the Rescue and Jackeroo hybrids with decent results, but it was the Quick Strike that he had to have. On-course playing made him even more enamored with these Snake Eyes.
All of the fusion iron/woods we have tried have worked well. What distinguishes the Quick Strike is its easy loveability and its penchant for working the ball. This is one versatile golf club.
