85g R flex graphite iron shaft recommendations for low-mid handicapper

Thanks again to everyone's helpful advice and suggestions as I've navigated upgrading my clubs and specifically irons for first time in 20 years going from stiff steel to regular graphite (due to recent golfer's elbow discomfort).

Accra i123 shafts I have in my new irons are nice but at 124g and D4 SW they're just too heavy. It's gotten into my head, even if I've been hitting them decently. After testing some 60g-71g graphite iron shafts that all felt too light and whippy I finally tested one last night that was Goldilocks (just right)...the UST Recoil 780 ES R flex 82g. I didn't hit it quite as long or consistent (but close) as the Accra but it just felt right...and my arms weren't starting to get tired after hitting 50-60 practice balls haha.

Smooth but deliberate/firm swing - 6i Swingspeed 80-82 mph ave

Prefer mid to mid-high ball flight....more mid than high if there is such a thing.

Now looking for quality + value recommendations of R flex graphite shafts in the 85g range...mostly because the shaft costs are so all over the map, and it seems silly to spend 65$-80$ a shaft for the Recoil 780 or Steelfiber 80 or KBS TGI 80 when the similarly weighted and spec'd Grafalloy ProLaunch Blue Iron shafts or Mitsubishi Kuro Kage Black 2nd Gen Iron shafts or Aldila Value Series Graphite Iron Shaft are all 40$-50$ a shaft cheaper. But also not against spending more if worth it...any thoughts or recommendations?

Thanks!

I've tried loads of graphite shafts as I try and do preventative elbow saving. I currently use light steel shafts (Ping CFS, C Taper Lite) that come in around the 100g mark and I have yet to find any graphite shafts in that neighbourhood that really convince me to finally change over. Have you thought of just going to lighter steel shafts, with some Prosoft inserts, I've found them just as easy on the joints.

Personally the Recoil 95 F3 and the Fujikura Pro 87i are the ones I like the most. I have some EE (a lot? lol) in my swing, but am low 80s speed like yourself.

I'd suggest trawling eBay for single irons to try or pulls, as you point out getting new graphites is pricey, so you don't want to be too willy nilly for a whole set and be out a chunk of change.

Thanks for the sound advice...and no wasn't really considering any steel shafts lighter or otherwise due to recent and persistent golfers elbow discomfort - but I also don't know much about shafts and just figured graphite would be smarter route to take re age and elbow.

Are the Recoil 95 F3's the .355" ones with tapered tips (vs parallel)? I had those on my list but because Accra shafts in current irons were parallel tips and I think the XR's are .370" hosels I thought I needed to stick with parallel .370"s...like I said, am only learning about shafts now haha.

Lot's of options for sure. The bargain hunter in me always has an eye out for pulls on eBay. Yeah you have to be careful and know what to look for but over the years I've gotten deals that sometimes were pennies on the dollar for premium shafts.

If you like the smoothness of the Accra's then the 80i series are outstanding. Recoils are always high on my list and common on eBay. Steelfiber also.

If new is the only option then you might have to bite the bullet. A $15-$20 shaft is usually an entry-level offering. But having said that I recently scarfed up a whole mess of Miyazaki Jinsoku shafts at RBG for $4 each. Yes again, that is the bargain hunter in me.

^I'm not a club builder like Ness or Stuart - but my past reading is that with graphite shafts they can easily sand down .370s to .355s. But if you have .370 hosels - which I am guessing is the case with the XRs, then that point is mute.

Wow...that's an amazing bargain. Yes the Accra 80i's or Tour 90i Timesh are tempting and would also be on list if I wasn't trying to basically get someone to pull and take the Accra's off my hands and install a less expensive new or used lighter shaft and more or less call it an even trade/wash...trying to stay on my budget haha.

Check out the Maltby MPF hybrid shaft if your club is a .370 hosel. They're kind of a iron shaft due to the 5.5" parallel section so that shouldn't be a problem. I run one in my 4 iron and love it. Regular flex comes in at 78 grams Maltby MPF Pro Series Graphite Hybrid Shafts | The GolfWorks

EDIT: Your XR irons are .370. At $21 a shaft it's a pretty good deal, but certainly not a knock your socks off type of deal like those Miyazaki's on RBG

Who's charging you 65$-80$ for the recoil 780? That's a rip-off if you're in the US. Can't speak to overseas pricing.

They old ones are only $32 at Hireko and the newer SmacWrap's are only $40 at golfworks.com.

Recoil 95's are taper tip. And no you don't have to stick with parallel tips - shims can be used (with no negative side effects) to get them to work in a parallel hosel. They are also acending weight - which means the cut weight of the longer iron shafts will be lighter (where the weight is more problematic) than in the shorter irons.

For the parallel tip shafts you are considering, it's the opposite, the longer the cut shaft length, the heavier the weight.

Thanks again Stuart....always so helpful. Yes in Canada with the $ exchange that's what a lot of those shafts are going for - though Golfwork's Canada has Recoil 780 SmacWraps on sale right now for 45$ Cdn a shaft...so comparable. If I had to choose something today that would probably be the one.

I'm intrigued by these Maltby's...especially if you say the 78g hybrid shaft would work in iron set. Never heard of brand but read good things - like they flight lower and feel a little stiffer than other similar weighted shafts - and go for 33$ Cdn a shaft up here in Canada. Would love to be able to test one somewhere. Thanks!

Unfortunately I think testing will be a little tough without biting the bullet and buying one. If you decide to go this route good luck!!

I have been trolling ebay recently looking for similar. Have seen some second gen Matrix programs 85 gram. Think they are .355 TT. The original programs are offered in a 95 gram sw also.... due to high balance point they can be tough to swing weight though. High flight. Great dispersion. Im switching mine out for Padersons this weekend. Xcalibur makes a great product. You can find some sick deals if you are pateint and look around. Diamond Tour golf also has alot of discounted models as well. My rec is to get a few different types or brands and try them out.

The above suggestion for looking at diamond tour golf is a good one.

the Maltby pro series iron is also a great shaft as well.

a hair bit better than the Maltby is the Paderson Kinetixx Paderson KINETIXX TS-I .370" Graphite Iron Shafts

for a steel like feel the Aerotech is pricey but you will get a feel closest to steel. The i95 could be a good choice.