Elbow pain

[mws82]

I’m playing the project x lz iron shafts for the third season this year. I have got to play more this year than last 3 years combined. I have developed golfers elbow and am wondering if there is a shaft out there that performs similar to the lz but may be easier on elbow?

[Oknows]

Nippon 120 would be similar and are generally regarded as the smoothest iron shafts. If hitting off of mats regularly, that might not even do the trick. Other suggestions are prosoft inserts and/or softer grips like CP2. 

Edited September 9, 2020 by Oknows

[mws82]

Thanks for the info. I use lamkin sonar midsize grips and rarely hit off mats. I will look into the inserts. 

[cadman88]

https://www.valuegolf.com/sting-stopper-vibration-dampening-shaft-inserts/sting-stopper-vibration-dampening-inserts-large-kit

 

[jsn]

Made the switch to SteelFibers for this exact reason this year. No regrets. If $ isn't an issue you should definitely consider modern graphite iron shafts.

[Jackal66]

I'm thinking about installing the shaft dampening inserts when I change grips.

My left elbow has started hurting since July.

One of those small padded bands for tennis elbow has helped.

 

Edited September 10, 2020 by Jackal66

[KMeloney]

Go graphite to mitigate elbow pain. There are lots of options, and undoubtedly at least one that will behave like the steel shafts you like.

[jeffrey r]

I know you are looking for specific shaft info, where I can't really help you compared to the LZ.  As others have said, definitely look into the prosoft inserts.  They are very cheap, and easy to install.  Anytime I have been re-gripping one of my iron sets recently, I have installed the inserts.  I also like the CP2 wrap grips.  And definitely look into something like these elbow braces from Amazon--best $8 I have spent in a while.  https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XDNSXBY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Otherwise, I have found the TT Elevate shafts to work pretty well with elbow pain (as they have their own inserts), so you might look at the Elevate Tour in the heavier weight range.  As noted, plenty of graphite options as well, but I can never seem to get totally comfortable with graphite shafts, even the better ones.  Still working on that.  Good luck.

[nickpiro]

I had the same experience, switched to Steelfiber. It was the best decision I ever made, the way it feels and loads, the weight options, etc. 

 

You can't go wrong in my opinion. 

 

Best of luck in you search! 

[thatsmybikepunk]

On 9/8/2020 at 9:31 PM, cadman88 said:

https://www.valuegolf.com/sting-stopper-vibration-dampening-shaft-inserts/sting-stopper-vibration-dampening-inserts-large-kit

 

Thank you for the link!  I too have been dealing with elbow pain, and am too fond of my steep swing to change LOL.  Thanks again.

[Red4282]

Everyones experiences seem to be different but here is mine: The OG project x AND the LZ both gave me elbow issues. Put prosofts in the LZ and didnt help at all really. Ive also owned KBS tour and Nippon modus and both shafts are much better on the elbow. Seems like a rip on PX but its true, and a shame because the OG PX perform sooooo good for me.

[eddiebigeddie]

I just started experiencing elbow pain this year as well. I have 2 sets of irons, 1 with Lz 6.0 and 1 with TT Elevate Tour...both perform nearly identical to each other with the real difference being my elbow pain after the rounds when I’ve played the Lz. Not sure if it’s because of the way the Elevate is made vs how the Lz is, but I definitely notice it. 
As far as a graphite shaft that’s similar to the Lz...I’m thinking the Recoil 110 will be very similar. I have one in a 3 utility club and it performs great so far. Going to look into them in my next set. 

[BCULAW]

I develop HORRIBLE pain in my left forearm with certain shafts. CTapers were the worst.  It always goes away if I switch to a softer shaft for a bit. Had the worst case I've ever had earlier this year using a set with Modus 120x. Put a back up set of irons in the bag with DGR400s and the pain went away within a week or two and hasn't come back. 

[Taylormadehunter1]

I’ll share my story about this. I developed this really badly toward the end of last season. To the point that I couldn’t even play or really swing a club full speed. Put the clubs away for about 8 weeks after the season ended. After that I got the itch again and started hitting some balls. Within about 20 swings I was starting to feel a twinge of the pain again so I shut it down and started looking for solutions. Came across something similar to those sting stoppers mentioned earlier. Couldn’t bring myself to paying that for some foam rods so I found an alternative. Got some backer rod from HD. For about $5 I had enough to do all my irons twice over. Fast forward to this summer and no more pain. I was just at the range last week and hit three buckets totaling 240 balls and nothing, no pain. Never thought I’d be able to do that again at the end of last season. 
 

FYI nothing else changed other than adding the backer rod. Still the same irons with the same Nippon Modus Tour 120 shafts. 

[poppman2142]

Maybe search for some exercises for you issue. Take some prescription anti inflammatory for a few weeks. No hitting off mats. I always use this: 

 

Tenex ATESA Elbow Shock Absorber - Black

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GQPXYA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_R8SxFbFS0RX7W

Edited September 14, 2020 by poppman2142

[spike]

I have prosoft inserts in my LZ 6.0, played them all this season with okay results, I never played the lz shafts without inserts to compare, but they are better than the project x 6.0 I had in a different set. That being said, I am putting my steelfibres into the heads this offseason, best shaft I have played with zero regrets 

[bcc69]

Another vote for Steelfibers for relief of golfer’s elbow.  I was a skeptic, but within a couple months, my elbow pain was gone.

 

[spike]

I have pro soft inserts in my LZ 6.0 shafts, I have gone all season with no issues, but I have not played them before without the inserts. 

 As good as they are, I am going back to my steelfibres in the off season

[cristphoto]

I have always played steel shafts in my irons.  For a long time I would order my Ping's with the Ping Cushin insert installed.  Ping evidently doesn't offer them now so I installed the Pro-Soft inserts in my i200 irons.  Never had a problem and am in my 70's.  The Cushin's used to weigh about 10 grams while the Pro-Softs are literally light as a feather.   

[7fa]

On 9/13/2020 at 6:52 PM, Taylormadehunter1 said:

Came across something similar to those sting stoppers mentioned earlier. Couldn’t bring myself to paying that for some foam rods so I found an alternative. Got some backer rod from HD. For about $5 I had enough to do all my irons twice over. Fast forward to this summer and no more pain. I was just at the range last week and hit three buckets totaling 240 balls and nothing, no pain. Never thought I’d be able to do that again at the end of last season. 

 

Any more details on these? Which section did you find them in and how tough were they to install?

[Rapidcat]

This is an interesting and informative thread.

 

I developed elbow pain for the first time in my golf life late last year and determined it was most likely caused by hitting off mats at driving ranges (3 sessions per week), so don't discount that.

 

You can see from my sig what irons/shafts I play and am going through a re-gripping exercise which may give me a little extra shock absorption. Like the idea of the dampening inserts and no doubt will experiment with different shafts in the future.

[mizuno player]

16 hours ago, bcc69 said:

Another vote for Steelfibers for relief of golfer’s elbow.  I was a skeptic, but within a couple months, my elbow pain was gone.

 

What shaft did you have before Steelfiber? 

[bcc69]

8 minutes ago, mizuno player said:

What shaft did you have before Steelfiber? 

Nippon NS Pro GH 950 stiff

[jeffrey r]

6 hours ago, 7fa said:

 

Any more details on these? Which section did you find them in and how tough were they to install?

 

There is some concern that backer rod could trap moisture and cause rust in the shaft, but I don't profess to be an expert.  The prosoft inserts are pretty cheap themselves, but the backer rod can be bought in bulk.  This is it, the 5/8".  https://www.amazon.com/Sashco-30623-Pre-Caulking-Filler-50-Feet/dp/B000DZKZP2/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-p13n1_0?cv_ct_cx=Sashco&dchild=1&keywords=Sashco&pd_rd_i=B000DZKZP2&pd_rd_r=fd9be8b0-a95f-4e6e-a08f-1995a63531d4&pd_rd_w=GGzuQ&pd_rd_wg=6UHd7&pf_rd_p=42e41e42-79c0-42f8-8a91-d71b944e9fa8&pf_rd_r=9KVY2C7H08XVQ65BEEV8&psc=1&qid=1600546762&sr=1-1-791c2399-d602-4248-afbb-8a79de2d236f

[Taylormadehunter1]

8 minutes ago, jeffrey r said:

 

There is some concern that backer rod could trap moisture and cause rust in the shaft, but I don't profess to be an expert.  The prosoft inserts are pretty cheap themselves, but the backer rod can be bought in bulk.  This is it, the 5/8".  https://www.amazon.com/Sashco-30623-Pre-Caulking-Filler-50-Feet/dp/B000DZKZP2/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-p13n1_0?cv_ct_cx=Sashco&dchild=1&keywords=Sashco&pd_rd_i=B000DZKZP2&pd_rd_r=fd9be8b0-a95f-4e6e-a08f-1995a63531d4&pd_rd_w=GGzuQ&pd_rd_wg=6UHd7&pf_rd_p=42e41e42-79c0-42f8-8a91-d71b944e9fa8&pf_rd_r=9KVY2C7H08XVQ65BEEV8&psc=1&qid=1600546762&sr=1-1-791c2399-d602-4248-afbb-8a79de2d236f

I’ve heard that about backer rod collecting moisture and from my experience I have found that to not be true. I’ve had it in my irons for several years now and have seen no sign of moisture in the shaft or rust. I just had a couple heads off my irons last month to fix some ferrules and saw nothing in the shaft to indicate any rust. 

[jeffrey r]

1 hour ago, Taylormadehunter1 said:

I’ve heard that about backer rod collecting moisture and from my experience I have found that to not be true. I’ve had it in my irons for several years now and have seen no sign of moisture in the shaft or rust. I just had a couple heads off my irons last month to fix some ferrules and saw nothing in the shaft to indicate any rust. 

 

That’s great.  I was just relaying what I had read, not from personal experience.  I always keep a stock of prosoft inserts around, but also bought that 50’ of backer rod to have around.  

 

And all of that said, I installed the inserts in my NS Pro 950 shafts, and I still have darn elbow pain.  Sucks getting old (all of 47 yo).  I might be back to Recoils or SF soon enough...

[Taylormadehunter1]

1 minute ago, jeffrey r said:

 

That’s great.  I was just relaying what I had read, not from personal experience.  I always keep a stock of prosoft inserts around, but also bought that 50’ of backer rod to have around.  

 

And all of that said, I installed the inserts in my NS Pro 950 shafts, and I still have darn elbow pain.  Sucks getting old (all of 47 yo).  I might be back to Recoils or SF soon enough...

I had heard the same thing before I started using the backer rod but figured I’d give it a try anyway. Glad it turned out to not be an issue. 
 

I’m 43 and even though the inserts have helped, I think it is time for graphite for me. I was feeling good yesterday, hit a ton of balls and wasn’t feeling any pain. Woke up this morning and both elbows are hurting. I can’t keep dealing with the pain, so I’ve started the search for some graphite shafts. 

[Minarets]

I am 39 and I too went from s300 to i95 Steelfibers and since moving over have no more pain.  No clue if that IS the reason, but I'm sure it's got something to do with it. I am a range rat too and hit balls often. 
 

since switching, I have had zero pain and zero reason for anymore cortisone shots. 

[LCP]

The inserts are a must, really. I've been playing cushin inserts in my Ping irons ever since I took up golf again about 8 years ago (I'm 48 now).  I swing 110-115 with the driver.  I've battled golfers elbow, and there are a few things that could be contributing.  One is using your right arm in the swing.  That will aggravate golfers elbow.  The right arm is just along for the ride. Don't use it to do anything. Not to turn it over, not to dig it out, not to rip it as hard as you can.  A swing that is too steep can do that too.  You don't really have to take a beaver pelt with every shot to hit it straight, long and with plenty of spin.  That contributes to it too.  Now the thing that really surprised me is that I recently switched to Bryson's swing with my woods.  That straight arm setup not only lets you hit it straighter by about a factor of three, but it puts no strain on the trail elbow (or the lower back).  I love it and can swing it till I'm dead exhausted and my elbow doesn't flare up anymore.  Those real hard swings with the big clubs I think are more damaging than the easier swings with the irons (with steel shafts with ground contact) in my opinion.

Edited September 20, 2020 by LCP

[cristphoto]

The ProSoft inserts are pretty cheap at $5 for a 10 pack.  To install them properly you need the specific tool also. Otherwise the insert will bunch up and not be at the proper depth. The tool will last a lifetime and its pretty clever how it works.  It can also be used to remove the inserts but I can't see why you would want to. Its a well thought-out system so you might as well go ahead and do it right the first time.