X18 iron - swap steel shaft for graphite

[pcmancini]

Hi all, this question may be a little rudimentary but... I want to swap out the steel shaft on one of my older Callaway X-18 irons with a graphite shaft. 

 

My questions are:

1. Is this possible w/o too much trouble?  I like the irons alot (still) but I do not want to go crazy here.  Also, I would have a pro golf tech do it so not a "do-it-yourself" project.

 

AND

 

2. What shaft(s) would you recommend? Moderate price.  I realize this is about fitting, pref, etc. so really looking for some guidance on where to start.

 

Thanks in advance.

Paul

 

[Stuart_G]

The bore-through design makes it a bit more work but it's certainly possible.

 

Shaft selection (regardless of material) really needs to start with the best shaft weight fit - so that's the first decision you'll have to make before anyone can give any good recommendations.  Otherwise you'll just be getting the results of a popularity contest 😉  not necessarily what might be a good fit for your swing.

 

 

You also might want to clarify what you mean by "moderate" price.   (reasonably decent) Graphite shafts can range from about $20 to $80 or even more.    Faster swing speed players should probably expect to pay a closer to $40 or $50 for the more popular models - but there are a few exceptions to that as well if you consider that's too much.   The less money you're willing to spend, the fewer choices you'll have with respect to the combination of weight and stiffness profile.

 

 

Edited July 28, 2021 by Stuart_G

[pcmancini]

18 minutes ago, Stuart_G said:

You also might want to clarify what you mean by "moderate" price.   (reasonably decent) Graphite shafts can range from about $20 to $80 or even more.    Faster swing speed players should probably expect to pay a closer to $40 or $50 for the more popular models - but there are a few exceptions to that as well if you consider that's too much.   The less money you're willing to spend, the fewer choices you'll have with respect to the combination of weight and stiffness profile.

 

 

Let's put it this way, I would want to be at $100 or less all in (shaft, grip and install).   I think a $50 shaft would be in the ballpark for me.  Thanks

[Stuart_G]

5 minutes ago, pcmancini said:

Let's put it this way, I would want to be at $100 or less all in (shaft, grip and install).   I think a $50 shaft would be in the ballpark for me.  Thanks

 

That gives some good range of options.

 

What are playing for shafts now in your current set?   That's probably the best place to start for weight and profile unless there is some specific changes you want to make beyond just the shaft material.

Edited July 28, 2021 by Stuart_G

[pcmancini]

18 minutes ago, Stuart_G said:

 

That gives some good range of options.

 

What are playing for shafts now in your current set?   That's probably the best place to start for weight and profile unless there is some specific changes you want to make beyond just the shaft material.

 

I am playing the Steel Callaway Uniflex that were stock on the set and they suite me pretty well.  What I am looking to do is take the 3-iron from the set (which I never game) and turn it into a pseudo-utility iron with a lower launch with more distance and roll.  Not for any specific reason other than another option in the bag and to have some fun with it.  Thanks again!

Paul

[Stuart_G]

Then it sounds like you might want it a bit lighter than the rest of your set.  Probably the 90-95 gm range.   For low launching that would be the steelfiber i95's.   Flex is a bit tougher but since those uniflex's were really on the soft side (if memory serves wrt to discussions I read about them) - probably might want to try r-flex.   And likely will want the parallel tip version for the bore through since it offers more flexibility to tweak or compensate for the bore through design.

 

But really best to get your hands on one to demo first.  That's pure theory and doesn't consider the subjective preferences people can have for the feel from the shaft.  It's a popular shaft in many of the OEM fitting carts at various retail outlets.

 

If it's just for the 3i you could also consider any hybrid shafts you've had good luck with.

[denkea]

To add my .02$ to this.  Make sure that whoever does this has experience with a borethru design.  It could really be a nightmare if they don't.  

[Stuart_G]

9 minutes ago, denkea said:

To add my .02$ to this.  Make sure that whoever does this has experience with a borethru design.  It could really be a nightmare if they don't.  

 

I don't know if I'd go as far as a nightmare but it is important to understand the effect of the different BBGM on the shaft performance and how to compensate.   As I understand it, the rest is more cosmetic than functional.

Edited July 29, 2021 by Stuart_G

[pcmancini]

Thanks, this has all been extraordinarily helpful.  And yes, the club repair shop/guy I use is very experienced.

 

Regards,

Paul

[jb93]

In the end, it might be a competitive option to upgrade to a new set fitted with graphite shafts.  If your set is 4-GW (8 clubs) and it runs you $80/club ($50 shaft, $10 grip, $20 labor) then your in $640 on a 15 year old set of irons.  Not much more for latest tech.  Maybe you could get lucky and buy a set of pulls off ebay that are new never hit and get a set of shafts for $200?  

[Stuart_G]

14 hours ago, jb93 said:

In the end, it might be a competitive option to upgrade to a new set fitted with graphite shafts.  If your set is 4-GW (8 clubs) and it runs you $80/club ($50 shaft, $10 grip, $20 labor) then your in $640 on a 15 year old set of irons.  Not much more for latest tech.  Maybe you could get lucky and buy a set of pulls off ebay that are new never hit and get a set of shafts for $200?  

 

He's not reshafting the whole set.  He's only having one club reshafted to create a driving iron out of the 3i from an old set he's not using any more.

 

Edited July 31, 2021 by Stuart_G