Do all pros tip their shafts?

[Htk084]

Wish there was more info on this, anyone know?

[Valtiel]

Not all, but it certainly seems to be the majority. The mechanically consistent and usually later release of even your average pro is something that would show the effects of tipping far more than with your average Joe. That combined with the often heavier head weights, frequent desire to eliminate the left side of the course, and higher swing speeds, and it makes sense why tipping would be so common. 

Edited June 29, 2021 by Valtiel

[phizzy30]

Don't know any tour pros that don't tip their graphite shafts.  As @Valtiel says, these guys need lower spin and have late releases. 

[Htk084]

56 minutes ago, phizzy30 said:

Don't know any tour pros that don't tip their graphite shafts.  As @Valtiel says, these guys need lower spin and have late releases. 

Interesting. On all the woods or just the driver?

[Nessism]

 

I don't know the answer but I do know that it's NOT a good idea to copy pros and what they do with their cubs. 

[phizzy30]

45 minutes ago, Htk084 said:

Interesting. On all the woods or just the driver?

All woods. 

[nsxguy]

1 hour ago, Nessism said:

 

I don't know the answer but I do know that it's NOT a good idea to copy pros and what they do with their cubs. 

 

[PorkChopExpress]

You’ll actually be more surprised how many soft-step their irons 

 

[pollock21]

On 6/29/2021 at 9:35 PM, Nessism said:

 

I don't know the answer but I do know that it's NOT a good idea to copy pros and what they do with their cubs. 

I've always thought that the majority of AM's have more in common with the LPGA Players than they do the PGA players, and should be more concerned with copying what they are playing (of course, not true on WRX 😂)

[phizzy30]

1 minute ago, pollock21 said:

I've always thought that the majority of AM's have more in common with the LPGA Players than they do the PGA players, and should be more concerned with copying what they are playing (of course, not true on WRX 😂)

This is Golf WRX.  You're out of line talking like that.  It's sacrilege!!!  🤣

[pollock21]

1 minute ago, phizzy30 said:

This is Golf WRX.  You're out of line talking like that.  It's sacrilege!!!  🤣

 

Of course! I'd never ever say that about anyone on here......

 

But in all seriousness, I believe my statement true for 98% of non-WRX'ers out there!

Edited July 1, 2021 by pollock21

[phizzy30]

6 minutes ago, pollock21 said:

 

Of course! I'd never ever say that about anyone on here......

 

But in all seriousness, I believe my statement true for 98% of non-WRX'ers out there!

I agree, but we still love our 80TX shafts and 130 gram steel iron shafts in x flex hard stepped twice.  🤪

[Stuart_G]

1 hour ago, pollock21 said:

I've always thought that the majority of AM's have more in common with the LPGA Players than they do the PGA players, and should be more concerned with copying what they are playing (of course, not true on WRX 😂)

 

Except for all the swing flaws and compensations in their mechanics.   And yes, those can have a big influence on the equipment needs of the player.

[pollock21]

4 hours ago, Stuart_G said:

 

Except for all the swing flaws and compensations in their mechanics.   And yes, those can have a big influence on the equipment needs of the player.

 

I was speaking more in terms of swing speed than ability. The majority of the public drives the ball closer to or shorter than the LPGA averages, but spend more time worrying about the equipment the PGA guys are playing. So you have a guy go out looking for the new ultra low launch/low spin driver that DJ is playing when the TSi1 that Nelly Korda just won with would possibly be a much better fit, but they won't consider it.

[Stuart_G]

4 minutes ago, pollock21 said:

 

I was speaking more in terms of swing speed than ability. The majority of the public drives the ball closer to or shorter than the LPGA averages, but spend more time worrying about the equipment the PGA guys are playing. So you have a guy go out looking for the new ultra low launch/low spin driver that DJ is playing when the TSi1 that Nelly Korda just won with would possibly be a much better fit, but they won't consider it.

 

I understand.  I completely agree that what the PGA pros are doing is a poor way to select equipment.   But I disagree that the LPGA players would be any better source for equipment choices.

[cwilk]

From what equipment/build information is available, it looks like most have their driver shafts tipped. While it may help a player eliminate the left side to some degree, it is definitely not a guarantee or even generally done for that purpose. 
 

Everyone should see a small measurable difference from tipping. It’s generally a few hundred RPM’s of spin. Whether the change in feel matters or if the change in spin is needed depends on the player and the shaft/head. 
 

With a few unique exceptions, there are no difference between a driver and fairway shaft. All shaft brands have recommended tipping lengths for whatever the shaft is being installed into. For example, one brand/shaft may suggest no tipping for installation into a driver, 1 inch for a 3 wood, 2 for a 5 wood, etc. 

 

As far as soft-stepping, I don’t think many do it. At least not based on the information that is readily available. Dustin Johnson does it so I guess that makes people assume plenty of other tour pros do to. Except DJ plays soft wedge shafts too - KBS Tour 120’s, when most are playing S400’s. Tiger allegedly tipped his iron shafts that weren’t designed to be tipped. It was/is called Tiger Stepping. So it’s always possible that there are others who do unusual stiffer iron builds. 
 

And don’t listen to anyone telling you to look to the LPGA for equipment decisions. My son is 14 and swings faster than the LPGA tour averages, but not as fast the PGA tour averages. So rather than look to professionals, we got him fit. You should do the same. 

[semarlor]

7 hours ago, phizzy30 said:

I agree, but we still love our 80TX shafts and 130 gram steel iron shafts in x flex hard stepped twice.  🤪

This feels like a personal attack, haha. 

[Pepperturbo]

Most Pros tip their driver shafts, however, I know a few retired PGA / Champions tour pros that never tipped any shafts.  Tipping is not imperative with newer shafts, though many still do, including me.  My driver Ventus velocore shaft is tipped 1/2" before sleeve install, but 4wd 7 Series shaft was NOT tipped.  From the time I started golf, all my woods were tipped, how much varied depending on the shaft profile and tip section.

 

Though it's not published for practical reasons, many tour guys and gals soft step and hard step iron shafts.  Ricky Fowler soft-stepped, for one.  That said, what touring pros do to their equipment should in no way influence anyone to follow suite. 

 

PS what touring pros have done to their equipment can be misleading to ignorant.  Prototypes are all over the tours.

 

@phizzy30 is an animal... 😛

 

Edited July 1, 2021 by Pepperturbo

[TLUBulldogGolf]

1" tipping is considered 'standard' on tour for a driver. I'm sure there are some that don't though. 

[Lemonde]

9 hours ago, phizzy30 said:

I agree, but we still love our 80TX shafts and 130 gram steel iron shafts in x flex hard stepped twice.  🤪

I thought everyone on wrx tips their shafts 3 inches to where the parallel section ends? (Aka low low low shaft).  What am I missing here? Lol

[Stuart_G]

10 hours ago, Lemonde said:

I thought everyone on wrx tips their shafts 3 inches to where the parallel section ends? (Aka low low low shaft).  What am I missing here? Lol

 

That max tipping is parallel tip length minus the bore depth 😉

 

[NHenson815]

I tip all my wood shafts at least an inch, including the driver.  It makes the club head feel less "flimsy" like it is smashing through the ball versus bouncing off the ball, which annoys me.  It also balances out the extra weight I add to my heads, which would create too much additional flex absent tipping.  At the end of the day, it probably doesn't really hurt or help a mediocre golfer like myself, but the smashing impact "feel" seems more fun for a 240 lb guy with some decent gym strength.  

[pollock21]

On 7/1/2021 at 2:36 PM, Stuart_G said:

 

I understand.  I completely agree that what the PGA pros are doing is a poor way to select equipment.   But I disagree that the LPGA players would be any better source for equipment choices.

I think you’re missing my point. The ladies play equipment that’s friendlier to amateurs. TSi1 drivers, many irons on the LPGA are more game improvement style. They don’t play the harder to hit stuff for the most part. I’m talking about the guys that maybe play 1-2 times a month that aren’t gonna go get fit every season. Lots of those guys out there want to copy what’s on tour, and if that’s the way they are gonna go with club selection, then looking at what the lpga players are using would likely suit them better. 

[Stuart_G]

3 hours ago, pollock21 said:

I think you’re missing my point.

 

I completely get the point you're trying to make.  I just don't agree with it.

 

[Socrates]

Pretty sure Matt Kuchar doesn't.

Edited July 3, 2021 by Socrates

[JCAG]

On 7/1/2021 at 7:52 AM, pollock21 said:

I've always thought that the majority of AM's have more in common with the LPGA Players than they do the PGA players, and should be more concerned with copying what they are playing (of course, not true on WRX 😂)

I agree.

[Brooks_Cupcake]

On 6/29/2021 at 6:31 PM, phizzy30 said:

Don't know any tour pros that don't tip their graphite shafts.  As @Valtiel says, these guys need lower spin and have late releases. 

Partially incorrect statement. Lots of guys need more spin on tour, in fact more often than not they’re not chasing lower spin but “optimal” spin.

 

[Wesquire]

Pros also play what works best. Such as Brooks and DJ playing 10.5* drivers. If they were amateur, good chance they would think they need something like 8* due to their speed. Or when Finau was playing the G400 Max instead of the low spin option. Combined with the average pro not torching their swing to hit up 5 on the ball, or chase 1700 rpm spin. Just playing the equipment and swing that gives the most consistent results, then tipping the shaft a bit seems like a very reasonable approach.

Edited July 4, 2021 by Wesquire