DG S400 Tour Issue/non Tour Issue versus KBS

[Cottonseed.]

In the market for a couple wedges and I'm seeing a couple I like on eBay at a good price. They all have the S400 shafts, some are Tour Issue, some are not.

 

I have the KBS $ Taper 120 in my irons and in my 50 degree wedge. Looking to get a 54 and 58.

 

Can anyone shed light on the differences I may see in these shafts? Especially in the low end irons/wedges.

 

Thanks

[Adam C]

S400s are going to be around 12g heavier than the KBS. That's the biggest difference. How that impacts your swing/results, will be player specific.

[Cottonseed.]

Gotcha, thanks!

[Howard_Jones]

Tour issue is a weight sorting standard where the shafts shall be plus minus 0.5 grams from 132 (131.5 to 132.5), and its the same shaft as Dynamic GOLD, but then tolerances for weight is plus minus 1.5 grams (130.5 to 133.5), but since DG S300 is up to 131.5, the S400 TI would be to the lighter side of S400, and DG S400 to the heavy side.

[RobS]

$ Taper is lighter in weight, softer in the tip and stiffer in the middle than the S400. Most people will feel a difference in these 2 shafts in both the weight and the action of the shaft. S400 for most players will flight the ball lower in the wedges. Some players may find it easier to control the club on partial shots and shots around the green with the added weight feedback of the DG. If you like your current 50* on partial shots and around the green, using the same shafts in your wedges makes sense. If you struggle a little to dial in your yardages on partial shots or struggle to vary your trajectory, the heavier, stiffer tipped DG might help.

[Cottonseed.]

Interesting points here because I definitely have issues with partial shots with my current 58 (ping wedge shaft, feels lighter than the 120s). I use the 58 for everything from chipping, 40 yard shots, and full 105 yard shots.

I was thinking that matching the weight to the 120 gram iron shafts would be the right thing, but do people often play heavier wedge shafts for the aforementioned reason?

 

Edit: after a little research, i see that that people do this.

[RobS]

Heavier shafts in wedges are common. Using the tour for the sake of an example, DGS400 is the most popular wedge shaft by a decent margin. You'll also find many players with S4's in their wedges and playing shafts such as PX, KBS or Nippon in their irons. In addition to the performance characteristics of DG, many players find it easier to get the proper feel on partial shots with a heavier shaft. Some of the potential downsides to heavier shafts are less of an impact in shorter, precision clubs like wedges.

[JAY-Y]

I play x-forged wedges with KBS Tour 125 8 iron shafts and also have an identical set with s300's. For me, the s300 spins too much on full shots and i prefer the lower flight/spin of the KBS. May not start lower but definitely has a lower apex. Both have good feel and weight, imo. I started using the KBS 125 when i had $-taper 120's in my irons and they go well together. Hope that helps!