Driving Iron Shaft Advice

Got fitted earlier this year but decided to add a driving iron to replace the 3-iron currently in my bag. Yes, ideally I would go back in and get it fit but it's Christmas so low on budget.

Here is my current setup:

Driver: Taylormade M5, Kiyoshi Black 65 X

3-Wood: Cobra King F9, Accra FX 2.0 - 300F M5

3-PW: Mizuno JPX-919 Tour, Project X 6.5 Taper

I have a Nike Vaper Fly Pro (2-iron, 17*). Used to have a Project X PXi 6.5 on it; wanted to see what suggestions you have for a shaft that would better fit the current fitted setup I have. I'm also considering having the loft bent down to 19* so it's the same as my current 3-iron ... any thoughts on this? Thanks for your help!

If you want a little better dispersion, possibly a lower lessy spinny flight... same shaft as your irons, maybe could go down to 6.0 if you wanted a little more feel. Otherwise, you'd probably be fine in like a Tensei White 90TX... but it depends on your swing a bit and what of feels you prefer. Proj X 6.5 tells me you're pretty aggressive and like a heavier feel so theoretically the PW is a good fit, but you never know until you try it. Even something like an Evenflow Black 6.5 hybrid shaft could work if you're looking for a little lighter shaft to get max distance (at possibly cost of accuracy).

Thank you for your insight. Yes, I probably should've shared a bit more about my shot ... I have a pretty aggressive swing and do like to feel some weight on my shaft. I'm always looking for lower launch and lower spin characteristics. My dispersion is decent but was thinking about going graphite to get a little more distance. League I play in has 3 long Par-5s that I'd like to yell "YOLO" and go for the green in 2.

Balance point can play a role, too. You can find lower balance point shafts like Proforce V2 that are only in the mid 80 gram range but feel heavier in my opinion, because the balance point is a little closer to the tip. The reverse is also true... higher static weight shafts that are CB'ed so they feel a little lighter. The hybrid and DI shaft choice when done blindly is the hardest in the bag IMO. Hybrid profiles between the same model (like Tensei wood vs Tensei Hybrid) can be the same... different.. or very different. Regardles of what OEMs say a shaft should do, doesn't mean it will for you.

The cheapest route for you to go is first try proj x 6.5 and just see what happens. You may not like it and at least you only spent like $40 but you may also like it a lot then be done. If you go buy a Tensei Pro for like $100+ and you hate it.. well, you just wasted that $$ possibly unless you feel comfortable doing pulls and reselling it. Perhaps don't use the Vapor and try a GAPR or some other head that uses an adapter.

Too hard to guess for you with the info, but I use a Recoil 110 in my 3 iron and use PX 6.5 in my irons. Relatively inexpensive compared to others and a really great performer.

On a budget, nothing beats Project X Tour Issue Hybrids as companion to the PX steel shafts, the HC1 is flex 6.5 but weight might be lower than you want it at 95 grams as 42.00"

You might find them as both 0.355 taper or 0.370, but its the same shaft where the taper is a sanded down a 0.370.https://www.ebay.com/itm/Project-X-HC1-Hybrid-Shaft-370-Tip/173517792320?hash=item2866776440%3Ag%3AL7AAAOSwFdpbRSDn&LH_ItemCondition=3

i play 3 shafts from this series in my own bag, and they are my all time favorite shafts (2 hybrids and 1 wood) and now you can find them for a few buck, retail was 175 USD for the hybrid, the one i found on the bay is 29.00 USD so it does not get much better than that. Its smoother and a tad softer than its steel brother with the same label, but way stronger than PXi.

Here is some Zone profiles number from Tom Wishon so you get to see where they belong. The 7.0 Hybrid is only 2 grams up (97 grams) but can be used if you prefer feel to the stiffer side, but my suggestion is to go with the HC1 and 6.5 flex and simply tip trim it extra like hard stepping if you want it stronger.

Great feedback! Thanks so much :)

I'm using a rogue black 110 tx in my 2 u85 that I bent to a 3 iron. I hit it more like a 4 wood than a 5 iron in terms of setup and had to add some lead tape to the head b/c it's a CB shaft that also only weighs 85gms. The 95msi version and the rogue silver hybrids are dirt cheap on ebay too.

Big fan of weakening the loft like you're thinking. Unless you're playing absurdly windy courses, the extra loft is so useful on par 5s and I don't see anything really lost off the tee. Goes a bit higher than when it was a 2 but if I'm going for distance, that's what the woods are for.

Funny to read this as I am building a zU85 4 iron with the rogue black shaft. I already have this shaft in a 4 hybrid, and it is a great combo for me.

Since you said you have a pretty aggressive swing, don’t discount the possibility of going heavy steel in your driving iron shaft. I recently kicked out a 95g tour ad graphite shaft from my 2 iron and put in the same shaft that is in the rest of my irons (KBS Tour 130X). Was a little nervous about the huge jump in weight but it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made. I did lose yardage (10yds of carry or so) but gained a nearly automatic low flight/spin shot that gaps perfectly between my 4i and my 3 wood.