Low launch/spin shaft for my 420cc R9 Driver

[Pete O'Tube]

Guys,

 

I need some help. I'm a 5 handicapper living in the South of England, playing on a chalk downland course with plenty of wind and I need to get more distance with my driver. My swing speed is around 83-88 mph. I've tried Ping 400, TM M2 and Lynx Black Cat recently, but don't like any of them, and get no real improvement over my 9.5 deg R9 with a Graffalloy Blue regular shaft. It's the original R9 with a 420cc (I think) head.

The trouble I have is that the flight is too high and there's no run out. I feel that I'm generating too much spin with this combination. I shall be getting it checked out with the pro soon to confirm this.

 

I'm considering a Graffalloy Red Regular or a Project X Black 5.5 shaft (I've used these in a BB Alpha in the past) to try and bring the flight down and would be open to your suggestions for a low launch/low spin shaft around 60-70 grams.

 

Hope you can help.

[Stuart_G]

Make sure to check the face impact location (impact tape or foot powder spray) as well as the LM numbers. That by far has the biggest influence on launch/spin when compared to the head model, shaft, or even the loft of the head.

 

The original r9 has a spec playing length of 45". All the newer drivers will typically be 1/2-3/4" longer - and that can potentially make a big difference on both your ability to get a good face impact location and even the dynamic loft you deliver.

 

After you make sure you are getting a good (and consistent) impact location - then it's generally much more effective to adjust the launch/spin with head loft then it is with changing out a shaft. Yes, a shaft change may help - particularly if there is something distasteful about the feel you get of the newer (and likely softer) shafts loading and unloading. But I wouldn't spend much (or any) money on a shaft w/o testing it out first if you can avoid it because there is no guarantee that it will help much.

[Pete O'Tube]

Make sure to check the face impact location (impact tape or foot powder spray) as well as the LM numbers. That by far has the biggest influence on launch/spin when compared to the head model, shaft, or even the loft of the head.

 

The original r9 has a spec playing length of 45". All the newer drivers will typically be 1/2-3/4" longer - and that can potentially make a big difference on both your ability to get a good face impact location and even the dynamic loft you deliver.

 

After you make sure you are getting a good (and consistent) impact location - then it's generally much more effective to adjust the launch/spin with head loft then it is with changing out a shaft. Yes, a shaft change may help - particularly if there is something distasteful about the feel you get of the newer (and likely softer) shafts loading and unloading. But I wouldn't spend much (or any) money on a shaft w/o testing it out first if you can avoid it because there is no guarantee that it will help much.

 

Stuart G,

 

Thanks for the interesting thoughts. I've recently moved to a longer tee (Orange/Silver from Pink - if you know your stepped tees! (cool) ) and am making a good strike on the mid to upper part of the face. I'll check the length of my Prolaunch Grafalloy Blue.

[Goopher]

Very likely the shaft is not going to change your ballflight all that much ... it will considerably change the feel of the club

Going to a prolauch red will probably reduce your launch angle by about 1/2 degree and reduce your spin by 100-200 rpm ... leaving you with roughly the same ballflight as before but less change in your wallet

[Pete O'Tube]

Very likely the shaft is not going to change your ballflight all that much ... it will considerably change the feel of the club

Going to a prolauch red will probably reduce your launch angle by about 1/2 degree and reduce your spin by 100-200 rpm ... leaving you with roughly the same ballflight as before but less change in your wallet

 

I have a Ping i15 with a UST Mamiya Proforce Axivcore Red shaft.

 

The i15 is a lovely driver, but with a tiny sweetspot. Should I/Could I pull the shaft and install into a TM adapter?

[Pigems]

Aldila RIP Alpha (Red Eyes), lowest launching shaft I’ve tried so far. Can probably be had for a decent price these days.

[Pete O'Tube]

Aldila RIP Alpha (Red Eyes), lowest launching shaft I’ve tried so far. Can probably be had for a decent price these days.

 

Thanks.

Sadly none to be had on eBay in the UK..........so far.

[Pigems]

Aldila RIP Alpha (Red Eyes), lowest launching shaft I’ve tried so far. Can probably be had for a decent price these days.

 

Thanks.

Sadly none to be had on eBay in the UK..........so far.

 

Try looking at older drivers, sometimes it’s cheaper to buy an older driver with a good shaft you can pull out than it is to buy a shaft alone. I’m sure something will pop up. The PX Blacks were not a bad shaft either for low launch, or the PL reds. Just gotta keep the eyes peeled while combing through eBay :)

[Pete O'Tube]

I've got my eye on a PX Black at £65. I'm thinking of pulling a PL Red I have from a Callaway adapter and trying that. I've also got an Aldila Tour Blue and a Miyazaki B. Asha 4R that could be re-used.

I'm going back to eBay to look at drivers with the Red Eyes shaft now.

Thanks!

[Nixhex524]

For low launch/low spin the Diamana D+ whiteboard has done the trick for me... I have the 72g which is great in a higher spinning head like the 913 D2 I had it in... It actually launched a little too low but created penetrating bombs for me...

[shart6]

Pete,

 

I just started using a Matrix Radix 6321 strong (259 cpm) in my R9 with 10.5 of loft and it seems to do what you want. There should be a firm available cheap on Ebay.

[Pete O'Tube]

I'll have a look for that too shart6. Thanks!

[playa]

Make sure to check the face impact location (impact tape or foot powder spray) as well as the LM numbers. That by far has the biggest influence on launch/spin when compared to the head model, shaft, or even the loft of the head.

 

The original r9 has a spec playing length of 45". All the newer drivers will typically be 1/2-3/4" longer - and that can potentially make a big difference on both your ability to get a good face impact location and even the dynamic loft you deliver.

 

After you make sure you are getting a good (and consistent) impact location - then it's generally much more effective to adjust the launch/spin with head loft then it is with changing out a shaft. Yes, a shaft change may help - particularly if there is something distasteful about the feel you get of the newer (and likely softer) shafts loading and unloading. But I wouldn't spend much (or any) money on a shaft w/o testing it out first if you can avoid it because there is no guarantee that it will help much.

 

Stuart G,

 

Thanks for the interesting thoughts. I've recently moved to a longer tee (Orange/Silver from Pink - if you know your stepped tees! (cool) ) and am making a good strike on the mid to upper part of the face. I'll check the length of my Prolaunch Blue.

Is your shaft a blue or PL blue? In your OP you called it a blue, but now mention a PL blue. When I read the op I was a little confused as I have always found the graf blue to be mid launch with plenty of rollout. But if you have a PL Blue your issues may be shaft related.

[Pete O'Tube]

Is your shaft a blue or PL blue? In your OP you called it a blue, but now mention a PL blue. When I read the op I was a little confused as I have always found the graf blue to be mid launch with plenty of rollout. But if you have a PL Blue your issues may be shaft related.

 

I've just checked, it's a Graffalloy Blue, hadn't realised until you pointed it out that there's quite a difference between the blue and PL Blue.

 

[Pete O'Tube]

I've pulled and refitted all my ex Callaway shafts with R9 adapters and have found that the best performance is with the Miyazaki shaft. Not what I expected. The PL red is pretty good, but the Aldila Tour Blue doesn't do it for me. Still hitting it higher than I want, so always open to new suggestions.

 

For info Father Christmas may be bringing me a replacement for my i15 3 wood - G400 SF tec 16 deg 3 wood. I've always preferred 4 woods, so this is the next best option for me.

[playa]

Is your shaft a blue or PL blue? In your OP you called it a blue, but now mention a PL blue. When I read the op I was a little confused as I have always found the graf blue to be mid launch with plenty of rollout. But if you have a PL Blue your issues may be shaft related.

 

I've just checked, it's a Graffalloy Blue, hadn't realised until you pointed it out that there's quite a difference between the blue and PL Blue.

 

Besides the colour blue, they are about as far apart as you could possibly get.

[Pete O'Tube]

Is your shaft a blue or PL blue? In your OP you called it a blue, but now mention a PL blue. When I read the op I was a little confused as I have always found the graf blue to be mid launch with plenty of rollout. But if you have a PL Blue your issues may be shaft related.

 

I've just checked, it's a Graffalloy Blue, hadn't realised until you pointed it out that there's quite a difference between the blue and PL Blue.

 

Besides the colour blue, they are about as far apart as you could possibly get.

W

 

Feeling a bit like Homer..............Doh!!