Apex 3 shafts

golfnut1964 · March 17, 2016

wondering if anyone can comment on the Apex 3 shaft from the 73 iron ? Were/are they considered a "firm" R shaft or ?

I have tried an old TT reg shaft in a 77 staff iron really like how easy it is to swing at it. Walking all time combined with getting

older has me wanting to make it as easy as possible on my back.

Im debating putting them in another set of irons. Have played Apex 4 to date.

thnx in advance

Kenny Lee Puckett · March 17, 2016

GN64, IMO all APEX shafts, they were VERY smooth... even the 4 and 5 were far from a comparable TTDG of the time in terms of "firm". in fact a reason why I never played a set of Hogans with the APEX shafts in them come to think of it.

if you're looking for "smooth" the APEX 3 shaft is definitely the ticket!

fwiw I'd liken the APEX shaft maybe to todays True Temper XP 95/105 series.

HoganApexBlades · March 17, 2016

wondering if anyone can comment on the Apex 3 shaft from the 73 iron ? Were/are they considered a "firm" R shaft or ?
I have tried an old TT reg shaft in a 77 staff iron really like how easy it is to swing at it. Walking all time combined with getting
older has me wanting to make it as easy as possible on my back.

Im debating putting them in another set of irons. Have played Apex 4 to date.

thnx in advance

Nut - My first set of irons were brand new 1974 Apex blades with Apex 3 shafts. I was 14 at the time and the regular shaft never felt "whippy" to me. I played them religiously from high school till I bought my Apex PCs brand new in 1987 with Apex 4 shafts. I feel the shafts, being lightweight, allow you to feel the clubhead easier and maximize confidence in your swing. Depending on your age and swingspeed, the mid 70s Apex 3 shaft will be your friend and not your enemy.

farmer · March 17, 2016

Back in the day, Apex shafts were considered the upgrade from DG, at least as far as woods were concerned.

golfnut1964 · March 17, 2016

my driver ss around 90-95, 51 yrs young...I primarily walk so I want something that I feel I can swing same on 18th hole as I can on 1st hole.

Don't want fatigue to be an issue late in a round because I feel I have to swing hard with stiff shafts

Oldplayer · March 18, 2016

If the '73 Apex shaft was the same as later Hogan irons then they were basically a TT Dynalite. A shaft I actually like a lot and certainly not too soft IMO.

Fellaheen51 · March 18, 2016

I'm not convinced these days that a change in flex does all that much to impact fatigue in isolation to other factors. For myself, its more about shaft weight. And by extension overall club weight. Secondly, tip stiffness. The feel at impact. How "jarring" is the sensation.

I can play a lightweight, tip soft shaft (Apex) in stiff more comfortably and with less fatigue than a heavyweight, tip firm (TTDG) in regular. The later causes me to feel that I have to "muscle" the shaft all day to get it to perform. And the tip stiffness is hard on my hands and arms.

GN64, you didn't mention which TT shaft you liked in the '77 Staff. Perhaps what you were feeling was the weight, not necessarily shaft flex only. Apex's being essentially a TT Dynalite, never felt like they played firm to flex. At least in the one set of irons that had them.

scomac2002 · March 18, 2016

By far and away the best feeling shaft that I have used are the Precision FM 5.5 from Brunswick Golf. They seem to load a bit better and much easier on the hands and fore arms than a comparable TTDG or Dynamic shaft. From a feel perspective, the Precisions rival the graphite shafts in my i25s, but that may have (more than) a bit to do with having BeCu heads on the ends.

golfnut1964 · March 18, 2016

Fellaheen

The staffs have R shafts only shaft i have had in them. I like the feel. Good points on the fatigue issue. I can def feel head in the staffs. I have played DG S300, Apex 4 and now these TT REg...can def feel diff in all. The hogan 4 shaft feels best for me but i want to play the staffs for the year ( forgive me fellow hoganistas)

Maybe im trying to justify the R shaft cause I dont wanna bother changing out the Staffs in fear of damaging them...prob wont get my hands on another lefty set of these in my life time. Thnx for all the feedback.

birly-shirly · March 18, 2016

I'd leave the shafts in vintage staffs alone too. Too many stories of threaded hosels and the like for me to want to get involved in a job like that unless strictly necessary. On the other hand, I've punched Hogan hosel pins out without mishap. Obviously you want to get a set of Apex 3 clubs too though for comparisons' sake!

I second Fellaheen's advice that a lighter weight, softer tipped shaft seems easier to swing. I like the Apex 4, but I've got a set of Apex PCs in Apex 3 and they are a solid set of sticks. Can't say I felt the softer shaft was out of control.

Eidolon · March 21, 2016

my driver ss around 90-95, 51 yrs young...I primarily walk so I want something that I feel I can swing same on 18th hole as I can on 1st hole.
Don't want fatigue to be an issue late in a round because I feel I have to swing hard with stiff shafts

Eidolon · March 21, 2016

'64, I have used 3's in '72 APEX heads for a long while (I'm 60). Our speeds are the same (43" persimmon driver, steel shaft for me). The main reason I switched from 4's was higher flight and no power loss on the last few holes as I got tired. Never had a control issue due to softer flex. It is damn sure worth a try. If you do not like it, pull 'em back out. it's not an irreversable experiment. ;) Mike

golfnut1964 · March 21, 2016

Thnx for the feedback Eidolon that's good to know. I have been out last few days (no snow on ground here huge bonus !) trying out my 76 Staff blades with R shafts

and I enjoy them very much. I do notice slight difference from say Apex 4 shafts or my DG S300 in my FG62s, but it isn't something I don't like, just slightly diff feel.

Something I think im looking for late in a round !

Eidolon · March 21, 2016

Every month you progress in age those "R's" will feel better.:) There are a few of the bigger fellows that can and need to stay with "S" in our mature group, but I think most will do better over 18 holes with something alittle softer. The correct shaft is ...the one that works best for you, what some one else( even a twin brother) plays is a non-issue. R', S, or X, this is the time to be selfish, it's all just about you and what you need. Good luck with your quest!