Tensei CK Blue x tipping

[Bye]

I have a new driver head on the way (SIM 2 MAX), and am likely to be changing shaft from what I currently use. All the good club fitters are booked months in advance and the OEM’s are quoting between 4-12 weeks for custom orders.

 

So, I am going to try and find something that works myself. I know, my friends despair with me...

 

Driver has been my nemesis for a long time now.

 

I went for a fitting the other day, the shaft options were limited. I seemed to get on better with the mid launch shafts with a bit more torque. They only had shafts in stiff. The Kuro Kage Silver went well.

 

My swing speed with driver was between 108-110 with an average AOA of -1.5.

 

I have a Aldila Rogue Silver 60X in my current driver but it feels like I have to really work to elevate it. 

 

So, I have bought a Tensei CK Blue 60X and have the Kuro Kage shaft on the way in X. My question is though, should I tip the Tensei shaft or just butt trim it to length? 

 

 

[Valtiel]

Tipping is mostly about feel, so if want a slightly stouter feel then tipping an inch with your speed is fine. If you prefer the kick and went the potential spin/elevation help then I would leave it untipped. Neither is going to make a massive difference. 

[Bye]

25 minutes ago, Valtiel said:

Tipping is mostly about feel, so if want a slightly stouter feel then tipping an inch with your speed is fine. If you prefer the kick and went the potential spin/elevation help then I would leave it untipped. Neither is going to make a massive difference. 

Thanks, I might leave it then I seem to be struggling with launch and could do with a bit more spin. I have an M3 with the Rogue Silver in ATM, I am launching that at about 9-10 with the spin around 1900-2100. Just need something a bit more friendly.

 

All the modern driver seem to be fade bias to me, which isn’t great when you’ve played with a draw for 25+ years.

[Valtiel]

23 minutes ago, Bye said:

Thanks, I might leave it then I seem to be struggling with launch and could do with a bit more spin. I have an M3 with the Rogue Silver in ATM, I am launching that at about 9-10 with the spin around 1900-2100. Just need something a bit more friendly.

 

All the modern driver seem to be fade bias to me, which isn’t great when you’ve played with a draw for 25+ years.

Ideally a more mid/mid shaft will kick those numbers up a bit, but don't expect a huge difference. 

The main factors when it comes to both launch/spin and left/right bias though is the face, specifically face angle, loft, and the left/right bias of the sweet spot. Assuming a decent swing, dialing in loft and face angle should be the first thing explored when trying to correct launch/spin issues as well as left/right misses. How you choose your static driver loft will impact what adjustments are practical here, then you'll want to assess your strike location tendencies and how you want your misses to behave. If you have already gone down this path then ignore the question, but if you're interested in optimizing a bit then can you tell us:

1) Current driver loft and setting on the adjustable sleeve
2) Shot shape preference
3) Strike patterns and miss locations
4) Desired miss behavior/correction
5) Face angle preference (closed / neutral / open)

There may be some much more effective adjustments that you can make to the head before you start wanting/expecting too much from a shaft change. 

Edited May 10, 2021 by Valtiel

[Bye]

7 hours ago, Valtiel said:

Ideally a more mid/mid shaft will kick those numbers up a bit, but don't expect a huge difference. 

The main factors when it comes to both launch/spin and left/right bias though is the face, specifically face angle, loft, and the left/right bias of the sweet spot. Assuming a decent swing, dialing in loft and face angle should be the first thing explored when trying to correct launch/spin issues as well as left/right misses. How you choose your static driver loft will impact what adjustments are practical here, then you'll want to assess your strike location tendencies and how you want your misses to behave. If you have already gone down this path then ignore the question, but if you're interested in optimizing a bit then can you tell us:

1) Current driver loft and setting on the adjustable sleeve
2) Shot shape preference
3) Strike patterns and miss locations
4) Desired miss behavior/correction
5) Face angle preference (closed / neutral / open)

There may be some much more effective adjustments that you can make to the head before you start wanting/expecting too much from a shaft change. 

1) I have been playing the M3 in 9.5 - loft sleeve adjusted 2 higher with one weight in the max draw position and the other towards the back of the head in the central track.

2) My normal shot shape with the rest of my clubs is a high draw

3) Mishits with the current driver tend to be low/low in the heel, and the shape tends to be a block with the bad one being off the planet right going right.

4) Missing it right is fine, it’s the really bad one I’m trying to get rid of.

5) Square to slightly closed, anything that sits opening is a bit scary.

 

I’ve got the Sim 2 max coming in 10.5. The Kuro Kage shaft I tried seemed to help the strike location, it was much more centred and higher in the face.

 

[Stuart_G]

10 hours ago, Bye said:

So, I am going to try and find something that works myself.

 

 

[Valtiel]

1 hour ago, Bye said:

1) I have been playing the M3 in 9.5 - loft sleeve adjusted 2 higher with one weight in the max draw position and the other towards the back of the head in the central track.

2) My normal shot shape with the rest of my clubs is a high draw

3) Mishits with the current driver tend to be low/low in the heel, and the shape tends to be a block with the bad one being off the planet right going right.

4) Missing it right is fine, it’s the really bad one I’m trying to get rid of.

5) Square to slightly closed, anything that sits opening is a bit scary.

 

I’ve got the Sim 2 max coming in 10.5. The Kuro Kage shaft I tried seemed to help the strike location, it was much more centred and higher in the face.

 

Interesting, I think the SIM2 Max should be a good move then. I'm surprised that you struggle with lower spin and launch when you have a low heel miss, one that is normally associated with higher spin. You must be delofting to some extent that a 2* lofted up 9.5* driver is still launching and spinning too low. Regardless, more loft and a higher MOI will both be helpful, with the SIM2 Max has. 

[Bye]

7 minutes ago, Valtiel said:

Interesting, I think the SIM2 Max should be a good move then. I'm surprised that you struggle with lower spin and launch when you have a low heel miss, one that is normally associated with higher spin. You must be delofting to some extent that a 2* lofted up 9.5* driver is still launching and spinning too low. Regardless, more loft and a higher MOI will both be helpful, with the SIM2 Max has. 

I think I do de loft it a bit, Im a 41 year old dinosaur who grew up playing persimmon & balata balls. 
 

im hopeful the new head will be an improvement, and that one of the shafts does the job.

 

Thanks for taking the time to respond!

[third-times-a-charm]

I wouldnt tip the CK Pro unless you test it first untipped. The boron tip is a little heavier and stiffer than other models.

[Bye]

19 hours ago, third-times-a-charm said:

I wouldnt tip the CK Pro unless you test it first untipped. The boron tip is a little heavier and stiffer than other models.

Thanks, that conforms to me that I have done the right thing by not tipping it. Hope to test it tomorrow, just hoping it will make a difference.

[third-times-a-charm]

4 hours ago, Bye said:

Thanks, that conforms to me that I have done the right thing by not tipping it. Hope to test it tomorrow, just hoping it will make a difference.

 

I tried one tipped 1.5" once as well and it was not for me. YMMV.

[phizzy30]

As Valtiel has stated, it's up to you whether you want to tip the shaft or not.  For myself, I always tip my driver, 3 metal and hybrid.  I'm a high spin player to begin with and I find that it lowers my spin a bit.  I also like the feeling of a a stiffer tip. 

[Bye]

1 hour ago, phizzy30 said:

As Valtiel has stated, it's up to you whether you want to tip the shaft or not.  For myself, I always tip my driver, 3 metal and hybrid.  I'm a high spin player to begin with and I find that it lowers my spin a bit.  I also like the feeling of a a stiffer tip. 

I would rather start with a higher ball flight with a bit more spin, I find lowering the flight and taking spin off easier than going the other way. 
 

I guess it comes down to where you are starting from to some point.

[phizzy30]

51 minutes ago, Bye said:

I would rather start with a higher ball flight with a bit more spin, I find lowering the flight and taking spin off easier than going the other way. 
 

I guess it comes down to where you are starting from to some point.

I agree.  You can always tip the shaft if you need to.  It's easier and way less expensive to do so than go the other way.