Best Option for Vibration Dampening

[mwink822]

Okay gang, I have RA that I've been fighting it out with for the past four or so years and it does definitely have an effect on my ability to golf frequently. If I play four or five consecutive rounds, I get a flare up. I surmise this is from the vibrations that come from hitting a golf ball. I presently play KBS Tours in my irons and wedges and that has been a big improvement in reducing the beating on my body from what I was getting with the PX shafts. Question is what's my best option to further reduce vibration? I'm thinking about trying Sensicore inserts when I regrip this year, and I'm also thinking about switching from NDMC grips to something softer like the Lamkin UTx wrap or Win Dri-Tac. Option two would cost a bit more, but I know that a switch to a graphite shaft would make a big difference (though at 30, I'm not sure I want to do the "old man thing" and get graphite all the way through ;)). I'm also not sure what graphite option would give me the performance and feel most similar to the KBS Tour which works quite well for me. Option three, which I'd like to avoid if possible is getting new irons in the likes of a Nike VPC, Mizuno MP15 or 25, or AP2 with the various vibration dampening inserts in the cavities (yes, I know it's blasphemy on WRX to not want to put new irons in play). So, what do y'all think?

[Ayoung19]

Graphite shafts are hardly for old men. The quality of them has improved immensely in recent years, and if you really want to make it easier on your body, that's the way to go. Ask these two guys (just the most prominent, there are many others now as well) how they feel about graphite shafts.

 

Matt Kuchar - Career Earnings: $35,342,817

Brandt Snedeker - Career Earnings: $29,881,381

 

Personally I don't think new grips will make a whole lot of difference, but if you're serious about reducing the stress on your body look at graphite.

[ValueGolf]

Sensicore good, Prosoft Inserts better, graphite best.

[MrFlapjack]

Has anyone ever tried putting Sensicores into Steelfibers shafts? I wonder how that would feel?

[halliedog]

Little argument here that graphite would be the way to go, if cost were no issue.

 

However, I was in a similar situation to you several years ago mwink, although my troubles were from tendonitis, not RA. I couldn't play 3 days in a row with my KBS Tour S. What I found to work pretty well for me is a combination of a wooden dowel rammed down inside the shaft to as near the tip as possible, Prosoft inserts, and a softer grip (I currently prefer DriTacs). I've been using this method successfully for several years and more than a few sets. I can even hit off mats again without flareups, although I do try to limit that! It does change the "feel" of the shaft some (due to feel coming largely from vibration and sound), but nothing drastic. Might be worth it to test for yourself in a few clubs to start. Just some food for thought.

[MountainKing]

Sensicore does a nice job but it might not be enough for you. Might be worth buying a sensicore shaft an throw it in a club and see for yourself if it's enough or you need more.

[Cwebb]

Prosoft inserts in a graphite shaft, with a grip that's designed to give extra dampening.

 

Something like Steelfibers or UST Recoils....or a less expensive option is AXE. You can keep your shaft weight up with these options

[Cwebb]

Has anyone ever tried putting Sensicores into Steelfibers shafts? I wonder how that would feel?

 

Yes, it's been done quite a bit over the years. It works very well, for those looking to minimize "vibrations" into their hands as much as possible

[ValueGolf]

Prosoft inserts in a graphite shaft, with a grip that's designed to give extra dampening.

 

Something like Steelfibers or UST Recoils....or a less expensive option is AXE. You can keep your shaft weight up with these options

 

Agree, Prosofts in a graphite shaft is the ultimate if graphite isn't enough.

[asw7576]

Golf Pride Decade Platinum , or Golf Pride MCC Plus4.

[MrFlapjack]

Has anyone ever tried putting Sensicores into Steelfibers shafts? I wonder how that would feel?

 

Yes, it's been done quite a bit over the years. It works very well, for those looking to minimize "vibrations" into their hands as much as possible

 

Nice, will give that a try.

[ptjn1201]

The Prosoft inserts are great, but get yourself some enormous grips: http://www.diamondtour.com/golf-components/club-grips/diamond-tour-golf/dtg-super-oversize-grip.html

 

I've gone from mid-sized up to these, and I love them, and my hands aren't big -- normally wear a ML glove when I wear one.

[stk123]

Reviving an old thread here to continue the good discussion. I am looking to maximize vibration dampening in my clubs as well. How would you rate vibration dampening impact/effect from biggest to smallest?:

 

1. Shafts, i.e. graphite over steel

2. Prosoft/sensicore inserts

3. Grips

4. Turf interaction, i.e. bounce and sole of iron clubhead.

 

I am trying to figure out what is more important, to change a shaft or to change a grip. Which one will have a bigger impact?

 

I am thinking of going to steelfiber shafts, and as an addded benefit I will put the prosoft inserts inside. But the grips I plan on using are Pure DTX standard grips, which don't have much vibration dampening at all. At this point I don't want to go with oversize grips, or any other ones that might have less performance in hot and humid conditions. So are grips really that big of a deal when it comes to vibration dampening or will shafts do the majority of the work?

[Ri_Redneck]

IMHO, the best route to go is changing to graphite. 2nd would be inserts in steel.

 

However, I would not start out with the ProSoft inserts in the SFs. It would make them feel really dead. Get a 5i shafted with the SF you want (I would suggest i110CW or better i125CW) and grip it and see how it feels. If you STILL get too much at impact, THEN put a ProSoft in it. I went from steel to graphite and it was night and day on the pain. I found it VERY important to maintain the club weight that I was comfortable with, so i have stuck with heavier graphite. It took a while before I got used to the dampened feel, but it's old hat now and there's no looking back. BTW, I bang a lot of balls!!

 

BT

[sirparalot]

I have Fujikura pro graphite shafts in my irons and they are amazing. They are designed to retain swing weight when making the switch from steel. I actually went down to an 85 g graphite from a 95g steel as well as shortening .5" and basically lost 1 swing weight point (D1 to D0). Vibration is all gone. I actually had to re learn what a miss felt like because they dampen vibration so well. I'm a few months into making the switch and I can't see myself playing steel ever again.

[Stuart_G]

Reviving an old thread here to continue the good discussion. I am looking to maximize vibration dampening in my clubs as well. How would you rate vibration dampening impact/effect from biggest to smallest?:

 

1. Shafts, i.e. graphite over steel

2. Prosoft/sensicore inserts

3. Grips

4. Turf interaction, i.e. bounce and sole of iron clubhead.

 

I am trying to figure out what is more important, to change a shaft or to change a grip. Which one will have a bigger impact?

 

I am thinking of going to steelfiber shafts, and as an addded benefit I will put the prosoft inserts inside. But the grips I plan on using are Pure DTX standard grips, which don't have much vibration dampening at all. At this point I don't want to go with oversize grips, or any other ones that might have less performance in hot and humid conditions. So are grips really that big of a deal when it comes to vibration dampening or will shafts do the majority of the work?

 

1. By far is going with graphite shafts.

2. Inserts

3. grips

4. shaft profile and head design

 

Occasionally if the medical condition is bad enough, one might need both graphite and inserts but more commonly, just going to graphite shafts is enough to relieve pain for most.

 

Most people who have problems going to graphite do so because they don't pay attention to shaft weight or profile. Just like with steel shafts, it's still important to get a proper fit for both shaft weight and stiffness.

[TollBros]

If you don't have severe arthritis, the pro soft inserts should help a lot. We hit so many balls that almost everyone I know uses these things and for 90% of us, it has really helped with wrist and elbow pain from over use. They are cheap and quite effective.

[halliedog]

Just replying since I saw this was brought back from the dead.

 

I would never disagree with Stuart, and definitely agree that graphite will give the best results. However, I'll also report that I've probably owned 3/4 sets since the last time I posted in this thread, all steel and all with dowels and inserts, and no issues still for me. I've even switched away to firmer grips and have no issues playing as much as I can.

[MrFlapjack]

Using something like this on my entire forearms, and shoulders for about 10 mins greatly reduced tendonitis symptoms for me. Symptoms were gone in 3 days. So easy to use, just avoid hitting the funny bone. Much cheaper than paying for physio or pounding Advil constantly. Also, get the graphite shafts...

 

https://www.homedics...-with-heat.html

[cristphoto]

I've had good luck with the Pro Soft inserts in steel shafted irons. Used for about 5-6 years now after previously having Cushin inserts in a couple sets of Ping irons. If you re-grip your own clubs it only takes a few seconds to install the Pro Softs. Just be sure to buy the special installation tool. I just got used to the smoother feel of having inserts. Also the ball being used has a bit of influence on feel too. For several years I played the ProV1X but changed to the current model ProV1. I can definitely feel a difference particularly on mishits.

[sneaky_pete]

softer, midsize grips worked for me - can play as much as I like.

[stk123]

Anyone ever try graphite shafts with prosoft inserts? I am leaning in that direction due to a pinched nerve that I am trying to relieve without quitting golf for an extended period of time. Is it going to be too mushy to have inserts in steelfiber shafts?

[Stuart_G]

Anyone ever try graphite shafts with prosoft inserts? I am leaning in that direction due to a pinched nerve that I am trying to relieve without quitting golf for an extended period of time. Is it going to be too mushy to have inserts in steelfiber shafts?

 

I haven't but I've seen reports from some who have and it's going to be a bit subjective. Some didn't like it at all, while some others were grateful for the extra relief.

 

But if you think about it, If the choice was too mushy vs too painful - I think the choice would be easy one for me to make :-)