Rickie Fowler Switching Iron Shafts (KBS C-Taper to DG S400)

As reported by Jonathan Wall:

[https://twitter.com/jonathanrwall/status/1113805502343938048](https://twitter.com/jonathanrwall/status/1113805502343938048 "https://twitter.com/jonathanrwall/status/1113805502343938048")

Seems a little close to the Masters to be making a change this big, but hopefully it gives him the confidence he needs to play well!

He was a DG guy before going to the c-tapers. Not sure if it was x-100 or s-400, though

> @Ascan said:

> He was a DG guy before going to the c-tapers. Not sure if it was x-100 or s-400, though

Yeah, I think he played the X100s, but that was a few years ago.

we also don't know if these are hardstepped at all -- it could seem plausible that he hardstepped them once to retain the feel while getting a bit less spin and launch by HS'in them.

I hope he goes with the Onyx ones. I played s400's in iron sets for years. Awesome in mizuno's and had them right up to my s56's

> @cardoustie said:

> I hope he goes with the Onyx ones. I played s400's in iron sets for years. Awesome in mizuno's and had them right up to my s56's

>

Onyx all the way!

Could be because he's getting different spin numbers with the new ball and wants a shaft to get the right spin. Not sure which shaft spins more?

I like the switch. Used the stock C-Taper Stiff / 120 in the Cobra MB / CBs from the prior generation and wasn't the biggest fan. I am happy with my X100s and if he blacked them out throughout the bag into the black Cobras, then that would be hot.

From what I can tell, DG S400 is going to be heavier and might spin just a touch less than C-Taper. Doesn't seem to be a HUGE change, so I'm not worried about it affecting performance. Most likely a "feel" switch.

He used to ply X100 softstepped once so wouldn’t shock me if these are hardstepped once.

> @towncryer said:

> From what I can tell, DG S400 is going to be heavier and might spin just a touch less than C-Taper. Doesn't seem to be a HUGE change, so I'm not worried about it affecting performance. Most likely a "feel" switch.

The 400, depending on length and I believe Rickie plays 1/2" short than standard, should be equal or a hair heavy but spin difference will be negligible. The S400 does feel better than the C-Tapers. THat's just me though.

Should the S400 launch a little higher than the X100? I would think the C Tapers he had would be lower launching but I am no shaft guru..

> @IHFN said:

> Could be because he's getting different spin numbers with the new ball and wants a shaft to get the right spin. Not sure which shaft spins more?

The S400s spin more than C-Tapers - this wouldn't surprise me one bit as the new TP5x spins a few hundred RPMs less than the Titleist ProV1 or X that he was playing.

> @pdaero said:

> > @IHFN said:

> > Could be because he's getting different spin numbers with the new ball and wants a shaft to get the right spin. Not sure which shaft spins more?

>

> The S400s spin more than C-Tapers - this wouldn't surprise me one bit as the new TP5x spins a few hundred RPMs less than the Titleist ProV1 or X that he was playing.

>

>

Just my opinion, but doesn't that seem a little circular to change to a lower spinning ball only to switch to a higher spinning shaft to compensate for the lower spinning ball?

> @LazyLightning22 said:

> > @pdaero said:

> > > @IHFN said:

> > > Could be because he's getting different spin numbers with the new ball and wants a shaft to get the right spin. Not sure which shaft spins more?

> >

> > The S400s spin more than C-Tapers - this wouldn't surprise me one bit as the new TP5x spins a few hundred RPMs less than the Titleist ProV1 or X that he was playing.

> >

> >

>

> Just my opinion, but doesn't that seem a little circular to change to a lower spinning ball only to switch to a higher spinning shaft to compensate for the lower spinning ball?

Still has the rest of the bag that may benefit from a lower spinning ball

He said he was looking for more spin in his mid irons

wow was not expecting that. interesting to see if right he is changing shafts for the ball. You would think the higher launch would make up for the lesser spin.

Of all the shafts we sell in the store, ironically S300/400s are the best selling in the shop, then the Modus 105s. It's a good move.

> @pdaero said:

> > @IHFN said:

> > Could be because he's getting different spin numbers with the new ball and wants a shaft to get the right spin. Not sure which shaft spins more?

>

> The S400s spin more than C-Tapers - this wouldn't surprise me one bit as the new TP5x spins a few hundred RPMs less than the Titleist ProV1 or X that he was playing.

>

>

This.

"What I've been playing has been working," he said of True Temper C-Taper S+ shafts, "but just looking for that little bit better."

Fowler said he had been thinking about making the change in hopes of gaining a little more spin on his mid irons. The S-400 shaft is the same model he already uses in his wedges. On Tuesday, Fowler had Cobra's Ben Schomin build 7-irons with eight different shafts for testing. It's unusual for players to make equipment switches the week before a major, but Fowler downplayed the timing ahead of the Masters.

"There's no way to get an idea of what it's going to do unless you put it in play," he said. "You've got to take that risk to find out and I'm happy with how it performed so far."

Wow. These threads are pure gold. Maybe we should just assume that a touring professional would be making a decision based on a tour level fitting, precision build, and testing/feedback. ??‍♂️

> @tleader said:

> Wow. These threads are pure gold. Maybe we should just assume that a touring professional would be making a decision based on a tour level fitting, precision build, and testing/feedback. ??‍♂️

Yeah...we shouldn't discuss or speculate at all on anything...because that's not the point of discussion boards.*

*sarcasm

Well he had a pretty good first round with the S400. Not saying that was the only reason he shot a decent round, but it’s not having a negative affect.

> @LazyLightning22 said:

> Just my opinion, but doesn't that seem a little circular to change to a lower spinning ball only to switch to a higher spinning shaft to compensate for the lower spinning ball?

Depends on how much you're getting paid to switch to the ball...

> @nandersen said:

> > @LazyLightning22 said:

> > Just my opinion, but doesn't that seem a little circular to change to a lower spinning ball only to switch to a higher spinning shaft to compensate for the lower spinning ball?

> Depends on how much you're getting paid to switch to the ball...

Very true

> @LazyLightning22 said:

> > @nandersen said:

> > > @LazyLightning22 said:

> > > Just my opinion, but doesn't that seem a little circular to change to a lower spinning ball only to switch to a higher spinning shaft to compensate for the lower spinning ball?

> > Depends on how much you're getting paid to switch to the ball...

>

> Very true

If you find me a million dollars a year (more? less? I've seen TaylorMade advertising Rickie saying "oh I don't use a ProV1 anymore..." and that seems like a very valuable line), then I'll find new shafts to get the same spin rates as I had before with a new ball.

Could be they fit Augusta better?

> @nandersen said:

> > @LazyLightning22 said:

> > Just my opinion, but doesn't that seem a little circular to change to a lower spinning ball only to switch to a higher spinning shaft to compensate for the lower spinning ball?

> Depends on how much you're getting paid to switch to the ball...

It's easier to put additional spin on the ball than it is to take spin off, so this move makes absolute sense to me. With irons, having a little more spin, especially with the firm greens that they play on tour. Plus, he's mentioned the few yards he added with his woods with this ball as well.

> @PatsNation said:

> "What I've been playing has been working," he said of True Temper C-Taper S+ shafts, "but just looking for that little bit better."

>

> Fowler said he had been thinking about making the change in hopes of gaining a little more spin on his mid irons. The S-400 shaft is the same model he already uses in his wedges. On Tuesday, Fowler had Cobra's Ben Schomin build 7-irons with eight different shafts for testing. It's unusual for players to make equipment switches the week before a major, but Fowler downplayed the timing ahead of the Masters.

>

> "There's no way to get an idea of what it's going to do unless you put it in play," he said. "You've got to take that risk to find out and I'm happy with how it performed so far."

C-Tapers are made by KBS, not True Temper. Also, in most every case the Dynamic Gold will spin noticeably more than the C-Taper. I’ve played both and this is absolutely the case for me.