Can’t Get Used to Graphite Iron Shafts

[painter]

I bought a set of Ping i500 irons w/Recoil F3 shafts (regular) but can’t get accustomed to the shafts. I went from MP 30s w/TT XP95 (also regular, soft-stepped once) and hit the ball high enough and straight but w/some loss of distance - combo of aging and weak lofts. But now I get little to no head feel during the swing and no feel of a kick at the bottom, which I had before. The Ping heads feel soft on contact (good) but I’m not getting promised distances or higher flight (bad), except when I push the swing speed up, but still no head feel/kick. The shafts feel somewhat board-like to me, whereas the XPs are just about perfect. So now I’m thinking I’ll pull out the Recoils and install the XPs. Or, soft-stepping the Recoils. Either way, I have to disassemble the set and in one case two sets. 
 

I’m just wondering if anyone else has had a negative experience from the switch to graphite...

[J13]

Recoils are boardy and lack feel.  Try the Mitsubishi MMT's you won't be sorry.

[painter]

Thanks - somewhat comforting to read a confirmation! 

[Stuart_G]

3 hours ago, painter said:

I bought a set of Ping i500 irons w/Recoil F3 shafts (regular) but can’t get accustomed to the shafts. I went from MP 30s w/TT XP95 (also regular, soft-stepped once) and hit the ball high enough and straight but w/some loss of distance - combo of aging and weak lofts. But now I get little to no head feel during the swing and no feel of a kick at the bottom, which I had before. The Ping heads feel soft on contact (good) but I’m not getting promised distances or higher flight (bad), except when I push the swing speed up, but still no head feel/kick. The shafts feel somewhat board-like to me, whereas the XPs are just about perfect. So now I’m thinking I’ll pull out the Recoils and install the XPs. Or, soft-stepping the Recoils. Either way, I have to disassemble the set and in one case two sets. 
 

I’m just wondering if anyone else has had a negative experience from the switch to graphite...

 

Which Recoil?  Last I checked there were 11 different models of Recoils.

 

[double or triple?]

In terms of feel, I usually put recoils on the bottom and catalyst or MMT on the top. MMT covers the higher weight offerings while I think PX catalyst offers the best 100g option for players looking for steel like dispersion and control but ease of use on the joints. Steelfiber are too harsh for being a graphite option unless you have some speed behind you or you go down a flex but that’s just my opinion of testing 

[Socrates]

4 hours ago, painter said:

I bought a set of Ping i500 irons w/Recoil F3 shafts (regular) but can’t get accustomed to the shafts. I went from MP 30s w/TT XP95 (also regular, soft-stepped once) and hit the ball high enough and straight but w/some loss of distance - combo of aging and weak lofts. But now I get little to no head feel during the swing and no feel of a kick at the bottom, which I had before. The Ping heads feel soft on contact (good) but I’m not getting promised distances or higher flight (bad), except when I push the swing speed up, but still no head feel/kick. The shafts feel somewhat board-like to me, whereas the XPs are just about perfect. So now I’m thinking I’ll pull out the Recoils and install the XPs. Or, soft-stepping the Recoils. Either way, I have to disassemble the set and in one case two sets. 
 

I’m just wondering if anyone else has had a negative experience from the switch to graphite...

Your problem likely is the SW being too light.  Get some lead tape and start adding some weight to the heads.  You will soon find that you can feel the head again.  I've never agreed with Ping and their crazy light SW.  Post the serial number on the heads and I'll tell you what the factory set the SW at.

[painter]

2 hours ago, Stuart_G said:

 

Which Recoil?  Last I checked there were 11 different models of Recoils.

 

Smacwrap Es 780 F3...

[painter]

1 hour ago, Socrates said:

Your problem likely is the SW being too light.  Get some lead tape and start adding some weight to the heads.  You will soon find that you can feel the head again.  I've never agreed with Ping and their crazy light SW.  Post the serial number on the heads and I'll tell you what the factory set the SW at.

They came from Ping at D4, heavier than this model’s standard D1. Usual Ping SW is C9 but these being hollow require a heavier SW. As a lead tape “addict”, I’m wont to add more weight to push it above D4. I’ve added tape and a lead tip weight to my Mizunos with pleasing success, but still not as high a SW as +D4. 
 

Thanks for the reply.

[Stuart_G]

10 minutes ago, painter said:

Smacwrap Es 780 F3...

'

Could be a static club weight issue if you're used to 95 gm shafts.

 

Might want to consider the Steelfiber fc90's - a bit softer than many of the recoils and a better match for weight.  Also constant weight (instead of descending weight with the MMT's).

[sm_watts]

I really wanted to like the Recoil 95’s and I played some good golf with them, but in the end they were just too light. I would like to try some 110’s instead of swinging irons that are covered in lead tape. 

[RainShadow]

On 12/5/2020 at 7:01 AM, painter said:

I bought a set of Ping i500 irons w/Recoil F3 shafts (regular) but can’t get accustomed to the shafts. I went from MP 30s w/TT XP95 (also regular, soft-stepped once) and hit the ball high enough and straight but w/some loss of distance - combo of aging and weak lofts. But now I get little to no head feel during the swing and no feel of a kick at the bottom, which I had before. The Ping heads feel soft on contact (good) but I’m not getting promised distances or higher flight (bad), except when I push the swing speed up, but still no head feel/kick. The shafts feel somewhat board-like to me, whereas the XPs are just about perfect. So now I’m thinking I’ll pull out the Recoils and install the XPs. Or, soft-stepping the Recoils. Either way, I have to disassemble the set and in one case two sets. 
 

I’m just wondering if anyone else has had a negative experience from the switch to graphite...

 I found the 95's to feel great, real lively. Some of the lighter versions didn't have the same sensation. Same with the 110's. Those were dead for me in F4

Edited December 17, 2020 by RainShadow

[nitram]

I'll second the endorsement for MMT's. Best non-steel shaft I've played in an iron. It's at least worth building one or two clubs to see what they can do for you.

[woodriff]

Another option if your looking for graphite are the Xcalibre tours. They used to be sold thru golfworks, but now on their website only. 
If you do not have to play graphite, try the Nippon offerings. Many weights avail. Nippon works for me with prosoft inserts.