Need cheap graphite shaft recommendation for "range/car" set.

[Gerr]

I have an old set of Ping Zing iron heads I want to build to use a range/car set.   I don't want to leave an expensive set of clubs in my car's trunk 24/7 in case it's ever broken into, so need this on the cheap.  My main set of irons are Mizuno JPX 919 Hot Metal Pro's with Nippon Modus3 105 Regular shafts.  However, due to a recent shoulder injury, I am swinging much slower, so bought another set I call my "injury" set composed of PXG 0211 irons with MMT 70 Regular shafts.  I want the shafts to fall somewhere in between the specs of these two shafts and be $25 or under, and prefer under $20.  I prefer lower launching shafts as the Ping Zings have traditional lofts, so they are several degrees weaker than modern clubs, so a low launching shaft would be ideal.  Ping Zing's are .370's, so parallel shafts only please.  

 

I am considering...

FST 90 steel iron shafts in regular.

Grafalloy ProLaunch SuperCharged Red Graphite iron shafts in regular.

UST Mamiya iRN Graphite iron shafts in regular.

UST Mamiya Competition Series Graphite iron shafts in regular.

Graphite Design G-Tech Graphite iron shafts in regular.

Nippon Pro 950GH steel iron shafts in regular.  *only if I can catch a sale*

Mitsubishi Kuro Kage Black Graphite iron shafts in regular.  *only if I can catch a sale*

 

Any thoughts on the above shafts or other recommendations?

[sociojeje]

aldila nv often comes cheap. Not sure about these days as most things are locked at "MSRP" and used sets are also not cheap. Not fun time for tinkers. 

[kwcsports]

I've got 2 old sets of Zings and both of mine are .355 taper tip. 

[Fellaheen51]

Absolutely, Zings are .355 tapers (Ping has never used anything but taper).  Unless they've been reamed to .370 for some reason.  If they have the OE shaft, they're taper.  Which presents something of a problem.  Limits your "cheap" graphite options, as most if not all are .370.  Furthermore, splitting the weight difference between 105g and 70g puts you in the ~85/90g gram range.  Inexpensive .355 at that weight are a unicorn.  You're inquiring about graphite, but have a couple steel options listed.  Only the 950 is available in taper, and "low launch" is not a trajectory usually attributed to 950's.  

 

If you're doing the reshaft work yourself, could sand a .370 graphite down to fit into .355.  Only the last .5" is tapered.  And after the correct tip trim.   A builder, perhaps not.  They may or may not want to mess with it.  And would add to the expense (time is money).  Lastly, are you looking to reshaft an entire set (3 - PW/SW) or something less.  All this before facing a swing weight issue moving from the typical OE Zing shafts (JZ or KT/KT-M) to lighter weight graphites.  Old school Pings with steel typically had SW's in the C9 range.  Lighter weights are going to make the SW's lighter as well.  If that's of concern. 

 

If it were me, which it isn't, would be shopping for an appropriate (tip, weight, trajectory, length) set of pulls.  Off the Bay, a WTB request in that forum, other venues.  If you can accept utilizing used shafts.  Some can, others cannot.  Older ping graphites (TFC 129 - 189) show up periodically, and with prudent shopping, can be had for a decent price.  It's the value play.  Have to perform your due diligence on how they spec out relative to shaft lengths and condition.  Going to be lighter than your targeted weight though.  

 

Didn't intend to over complicate your inquiry.  But you did ask about thoughts and recommendations,  and these are the issues as I see it from afar.  Lot of gymnastics to configure a "cheap" set for the expressed purpose of being able to leave them in your vehicle 24/7.  

[Gerr]

Hmm, I thought I read that they were parallel, but after checking a 2nd time, you are correct, they are taper.  That actually makes things way easier as I have a spare set of new TT XP 105 R300 shafts I could use.

[Gerr]

I checked the eBay auction I bought them from, it says .370.  So either the seller was wrong, or they were reamed out for .370.  How can I tell?

[TonyDAnnunzio]

47 minutes ago, Gerr said:

I checked the eBay auction I bought them from, it says .370.  So either the seller was wrong, or they were reamed out for .370.  How can I tell?

 

Pull a shaft and measure the tip with a caliper...

[rwl]

Either way you could use the taper shafts you have. Worst case is you have to buy some shims, which are cheap.

[Bad9]

Insert a .370 and a .355 shaft into a head. If they go in the same distance they were reamed. If the .355 goes in more than the .370 then they weren't. Keep in mind that Pings are usually a very tight fit at the bottom so make sure you fully insert the shaft.

[chipa]

A 0.370 graphite shaft can be easily sanded down to fit in a 0.355 taper shaft based on research on the forum and  I have done it no problems whatsoever.

 

Also Monark golf has inexpensive shafts, I have used many types of Accuflex shafts over the years and never have been disappointed.

 

https://www.monarkgolf.com/golf-components/shafts/graphite-golf-shafts/accuflex-assassin-ii-world-champion-iron.html

[8602081]

Adila NV iron shafts can be had cheap.. just need to look for it..

 

I remember purchasing 7 uncut Aldila NV multi (85 grams) stiff shafts for $45 back in 2019

[Sparty4202]

If you are going to use graphite shafts make sure the hosel has an interior bevel of 20* at the top…some of the older irons did not come beveled. Also I would suggest using a ferrule, it helps the shaft from possible breakage at the top of the hosel. 

Edited October 18, 2021 by Sparty4202

[NRJyzr]

A fun additional factor...

 

The Zing is the clubhead that caused the creation of the KT-M shaft, out of the ashes of the KT shaft.  The tips needed reinforcing due to that lovely added weight at the toe, a lot of bent KT shafts in those days.

 

KBS shafts need not apply for use in Zing clubheads.  😉

 

If you're planning on using cheaper (and lighter) graphite shafts, I would worry about tip breakage from the Zing Effect.  I also freely admit this could be an unenlightened comment.  🙂

 

[Ger21]

Consider looking for a set of pulls on Ebay. I got my Fujikura Pro irons for $130 for 7.

[Nessism]

Older Ping heads are quite light so if using ultra light graphite shafts you are going to need to add a fair bit of head weight.  Unfortunately, graphite tip weights kind of suck because a lot of them eat up insertion depth which is not good when working with Ping irons.  I think there are some long brass tip weights that shoot way up the shafts so you may need those.  In addition, lead tape may be needed too.

[Sparty4202]

5 hours ago, NRJyzr said:

A fun additional factor...

 

The Zing is the clubhead that caused the creation of the KT-M shaft, out of the ashes of the KT shaft.  The tips needed reinforcing due to that lovely added weight at the toe, a lot of bent KT shafts in those days.

 

KBS shafts need not apply for use in Zing clubheads.  😉

 

If you're planning on using cheaper (and lighter) graphite shafts, I would worry about tip breakage from the Zing Effect.  I also freely admit this could be an unenlightened comment.  🙂

 

Oh so true…the Zings were one of my favorite Ping irons until a number of the shafts bent!!