Shaft options: Irons

Status
Not open for further replies.
curtisj76

curtisj76

New
Right now I'm playing stiff S300's in my MP-30's. As Brian could attest, I'm not the biggest guy and don't have the fastest swing speed. I don't have a huge distance problem but like everyone else I'd love to gain a few yards. I thought about keeping the heads and just going down to a lighter shaft. Last week at a store I tried a Dynamic Gold SL. I could definitely feel the weight difference. Compared the stiff against the regular and he thought I launched the reg too high.

Anyways, does changing just the weight make much of a difference? 20 grams?? Anyone play this shaft? Thanks

Curtis

PS

Has anyone tried the Mizuno Shaft Optimizer?
 
curtisj76

curtisj76

New
Another quick question aimed at 3JACK:

I believe you have said that you LIKE heavy clubs, if true, why is that? Thanks man
 
G

greenfree

Banned
curtisj76 said:
Right now I'm playing stiff S300's in my MP-30's. As Brian could attest, I'm not the biggest guy and don't have the fastest swing speed. I don't have a huge distance problem but like everyone else I'd love to gain a few yards. I thought about keeping the heads and just going down to a lighter shaft. Last week at a store I tried a Dynamic Gold SL. I could definitely feel the weight difference. Compared the stiff against the regular and he thought I launched the reg too high.

Anyways, does changing just the weight make much of a difference? 20 grams?? Anyone play this shaft? Thanks

Curtis

PS

Has anyone tried the Mizuno Shaft Optimizer?
Click to expand...

20 grams is less than 1oz. you need to get at least 2oz's or more difference in total weight to make a difference, so you could possibly increase swing speed. A lighter grip along with a lighter shaft might do it, you would have to experiment with different combo's as swing weight can change also and it might affect your tempo/timing.

Graphite shafts are a lot lighter but you may not like them in your irons, i play them and never had a problem with them, you can sure feel the difference in weight from steel, and of course cost is always an issue,just my 2 cents.
 
H

Hayes9801

New
Shaft Weight

From my personal experience, you will definitely notice a difference between a Dynamic Gold and any of the True Temper light weight shafts. The ball will launch higher and go further.The DG is a low launch shaft, and many people just don't optimize their swing potential with it. The trade off is that you might lose a little control/rhythm with the lighter shaft. Short irons in particular might start to go way too high.

I would suggest you reshaft one iron and evaluate next steps from there.
 
F

fronesis

New
I'd suggest you try a number of shafts. DGs are not just heavy but also have a very particular bend profile. I play black golds which are also a pretty heavy shaft but I find they swing MUCH smoother than the dgs. Unless you really hit the ball hard, i think most folks will prefer dgsl, rifle, kb, or any other shaft to a DG.
 
curtisj76

curtisj76

New
fronesis said:
I'd suggest you try a number of shafts. DGs are not just heavy but also have a very particular bend profile. I play black golds which are also a pretty heavy shaft but I find they swing MUCH smoother than the dgs. Unless you really hit the ball hard, i think most folks will prefer dgsl, rifle, kb, or any other shaft to a DG.
Click to expand...

That's the thing, I DON'T "really hit the ball hard". I"m really going to try and find something different. That's why I'd like to try the Mizuno Shaft Optimizer.
 
Richie3Jack

Richie3Jack

New
curtisj76 said:
Another quick question aimed at 3JACK:

I believe you have said that you LIKE heavy clubs, if true, why is that? Thanks man
Click to expand...

I believes irons are made for accuracy, distance control and consistency...first and foremost. The driver and 3-wood have more of emphasis on distance.

Don't get me wrong, there are some possible issues with distance with irons. If I can hit two sets of clubs pretty much the same with my accuracy, distance control and consistency....but one set I can hit 1-2 clubs further. I'll take the set I hit longer, particularly because it will make long par-4's and par-3's easier.

But, that's often far and few between. Usually what happens is you pick up distance, but your trajectory windows are all over the place and you can't control distances and you're not very consistent.

ANYWAY

I like the heavier clubs because it allows me to more easily get into the proper downswing sequence time and time again and allows me to use my pivot more to hit the ball instead of using my arms. I play best from pitch elbow and if the clubs are light, I'll struggle to get into pitch elbow and hit bad shots.

I would suggest giving the Mizuno Shaft Optimizer a run. Or you can do what I'm doing. I found a 5-iron head of the set I usually 'game' and I'm going to install different shafts in it over time and decide which I liked the best and put them in my irons. It may cost me $100 or so extra in the long run, but I'll be more confident that the shafts I choose are the best for me.






3JACK
 
R

rogerdodger

New
I do not have a high swing speed and play Ping irons with awt shafts, which are lightweight steel, similar to Nippon's 950 shaft. I hit the ball fairly high when I am swinging well. At a recent outing, I pulled a friend's wilson staff fg59 five iron with a dg stiff shaft. I hit three of the best irons I have hit in a long time, straight and pure on a flat trajectory. I think the head had something to do with it but really believe it was the shaft. I can't get a rifle 6.0 off the ground, but I can hit a dg stiff, I agree that the heavier shaft makes you use your pivot a lot more. I do not play enough to warrant the staff's, but they are a great forged club, the feel is incredible. Going too light can mess you up.
 
J

Jim Kobylinski

Super Moderator
i'm not going to go into a big diatribe but here is my fitting answer:

Most people tend to gravitate towards 1 of 2 type of shafts:

1) butt soft, tip stiff shafts: These are true temper dynamic golds
2) butt stiff, tip soft shafts: These are royal precision shafts and also true temper black gold shafts

Most, not all, people like 1 or the other even if they can play with both MOST players have a preference. Try both, see which ones you like better THEN get that brand fit for you.

I'm trying to prevent a typical follow up question here:

Project X Shafts: Very butt stiff and more tip stiff than normal rifles and most amateurs don't like them.

KB Tour shafts: A much more user friendly version of project x shafts; designed by the same guy who designed project x shafts too...Kim Braley which is where the KB comes from in the KB Tour shafts.

that is all....
 
mgranato

mgranato

New
How the S300 compares to other shafts...

Here's how the S300 compares to some of the other shafts mentioned. This is the bend profile of the S300 stiff across the it's length. The charts read from the butt section (left side) to the tip section (right side).

S300 vs Project X 5.0 and 6.0:

Both PX's are fairly similar in the butt section, but are a good bit stiffer through the mid and tip sections - all things being equal, will produce a lower ball flight.

DGs3001.jpg


S300 vs standard Rifle 5.5:

Rifle is softer through the butt, slightly in the mid, and softer in the tip - all things being equal, will produce a higher ball flight.

DGs3002.jpg
 
mgranato

mgranato

New
S300 vs KBS Tour stiff (parallel and taper):

The KBS parallel is similar in the butt and mid, but quite a bit softer in the tip. The KBS taper is pretty similar in the butt and tip, but a good bit stiffer in the mid section.

DGs3003.jpg


S300 vs Steelfiber 110 stiff and 95 stiff:

These are lighter shafts with a strong profile. If you are looking for a lighter alternative to the S300 with a stronger profile, these would be a very good choice. I switched to these (from PX 6.0) this year and am very impressed with how they perform. By comparison, the Dynamic Gold SL's are a good bit softer in all sections compared to the S300.

DGs3004.jpg
 
Last edited:
R

RVArya

New
If you like distance and feel of TT-DG R300 but prefer lower ball flight, then I would suggest that you try Project X 5.5. Dont be afraid to go down to Project X 5.0.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top