Iron Shafts??

[DerekW_Taylor]

Hey Everyone!

First let me start by saying I will get fitted before purchasing anything. That said I would love your recommendations. What iron shafts have you fallen in love with and why??

I am looking to make a change in my iron shafts. For reference, I am a 5 handicap (former scratch), compress the ball well, medium ball flight. Driver SS is around 112. Currently gaming DG S400 TI.

Thanks!

[towncryer]

I'm a fitter (seasonal golf shop employee / English teacher the other nine months). I think I'm pretty darn good, but there are fitters who have forgotten more about it than I'll ever know.

With that said...you should start off by identifying what you like and dislike about S400 TI. Why are you wanting to change? Is it feel? Is there something you're seeing with ball flight that you don't like?

 

Now, to actually answer your question...your description of yourself is really similar to me. I play the same iron shafts, same-ish index, I'm a little slower with driver.

So for me, the pros of DG S400 are plentiful. I hit the ball plenty high with them and don't want to see that change. I spin the ball enough to hold greens down to my lowest iron. I like the way shaft feels as it loads and releases. I've played one other shaft in the last 20 years...C Taper Lite X (got a "staff" set of Mizunos a few years ago and that's the shaft the optimizer recommended each time I did it). I hated everything about the shaft except that it was a touch easier to swing due to lower weight. So for me, if I were to get new shafts in my irons, I'd probably go with DG 120 in S300. There may be some issues with swing weight and flex if you go to something lighter than what you're playing, so keep that in mind. If your current irons have tip weights to get the head up to the appropriate weight to play S400, you may need to leave those out when you assemble with a lighter shaft.

Good luck and let us know how the fitting goes.

[DerekW_Taylor]

Thanks for the thorough response. I’m a former PGA guy so I’ve done my share of fittings and greatly appreciate your point of view. My goal with the shaft change is two fold; I’d love something with a little better “feel”(whatever that means, lol), and a lighter shaft does have some appeal to me. That said when your current iron shaft is 130+ “lighter” is fairly easy to accomplish.

[Golf64]

Mizuno shaft optimizer is a great fitting tool/place to start to find an iron shaft. All comes down to the numbers, desired flight/feel. Head first, then fine tune with the shaft.

[Tree Levino]

Shaft optimizer is a good tool. I think outdoor testing is the best - especially for a better player. I play TI X100 ssx1 in one set and PX LZ 6.5 in the other. You may really like the LZ 6.5.. it's an awesome shaft. Easier to swing and load but quite stable. LOTS of ball speed. Spins a bit less which I like.

[hammergolf]

I LOVE Steelfiber shafts. Perform the same as steel but have the best feel of any shaft I have ever played. As an added plus my wrists and elbows don't hurt anymore. I would recommend you try the I95 and i110 shafts. You won't be disapointed.

[jvincent]

For me iron shafts are really about a preference for feel.

I've never liked the feel of the various incarnations of the DG. I used to play Rifles/PX but have moved on to the Nippon Modus line. I've played both the 130 and the 120. Love the feel of both even though they are very different profiles.

[DerekW_Taylor]

I have considered the LZ but never hit them. The black LZ’s are smooth looking too ?

[DerekW_Taylor]

I do believe that iron graphite shafts will make a big jump into the better player Market soon. They are limited now by perception and price both of which are changing for the better. Thanks for the rec, I’ll check them out.

[DerekW_Taylor]

I have heard a lot of buzz about the nippon super peening blue shafts. Ever hit them? If so, how do they compare to the Modus Line in your opinion??

[hammergolf]

I was just fitted last week for new irons and my dispersion with the steelfiber was better than with DG. I think most people don't realize how good graphite shafts are now.

[DerekW_Taylor]

Agreed. Graphite iron shafts are legit options for all players these days. Enjoy those new sticks.

Hit ‘em well and hit ‘em often!

Cheers!

[jvincent]

Sorry, never hit the super peening.

[mgoblue83]

x100 or PX6.5

X100 120/AMT if you want lighter weight.

 

S400/300 are good for smooth swings and partial shots (wedges) but at your speed they would get sloppy if you go after it.

[DerekW_Taylor]

If I go after it then I will be the one that gets sloppy, not the shaft lol. On a serious note, thank you very much for your recommendations. I am a smooth swinger and typically prefer a softer flex. I actually have a 3 iron with a regular flex Recoil in it that I love and hit very well. I’ve considered putting Recoil Protos in my irons but I’m not sure i’d like them in the 8-pw.

[mgoblue83]

Right on! Just a heads up - I'd be very careful going light in your irons shafts. The feel is going to be completely different as they play much softer than the "flex" as they get lighter. Could lead to major consistency issues over what you have now.