More flexible iron shafts?

[BURKMI19]

I have used DG x100 or Rifle 6.5 shafts for twenty years now.  But I'm legitimately curious about trying S300 or Rifle 5.5 in my irons / wedges.  I don't have an aggressive tempo but do generate the speed which merits x-stiff shafts.  I am curious though who has experience with such an experiment, intentionally going more flexible in iron shafts?

[vandyfan]

Well, I just started that...I demoed a 7 iron in a True Temper DG R300 to see if it performed much differently than my KBS Tour 120 Stiff. I swing a 7 iron (per Trackman) at 89 mph and a driver (which I have a senior flex Grafalloy ProLaunch Blue haha, true story) which I swing around 107-110 mph. It isn't apples to apples since the loft on the demo 7 iron is 30* and my current 7 iron is 34* but here are the differences I have observed:

 

Height is up slightly with the regular shafts
Curve is down slightly

Land angle is better

Spin rate is fairly consistent

 

All that said, I liked the feel enough that I now have my 5 and 6 irons coming with "regular" R300 shafts. 

[jholz]

I went with the Modus 105's in R flex in my most recent set of irons.

 

They are really easy to swing - I have to say that. Best clubs in the bag.

 

Can't say they've been any worse as far as dispersion is concerned. It's not like I'm missing everything to the left. 

 

Having said this, I play a variety of weights and flexes throughout my bag - from X to R and nothing - I mean absolutely nothing - matches.

 

It's all be cobbled together through steals over the internet and stuff I get for free.

 

As I always say, somehow I make it work.

[1s1k]

I'm actually thinking of going with S400's when I order my new ZX5's.

 

Coming from MMT 125TX and PX 6.5 for years.  

 

6 iron swing is around the 96-97mph range.

[Golfingfanatic]

I used to fluctuate between S400 and X100 in irons and recently went into R300 and I really like them. Makes hitting long irons much more enjoyable 

[jwhite86]

I play my irons super soft compared to my other clubs, always have.  I don't have dispersion issues or anything like that.  I just enjoy they way they feel 

[Cwebb]

2 hours ago, BURKMI19 said:

I have used DG x100 or Rifle 6.5 shafts for twenty years now.  But I'm legitimately curious about trying S300 or Rifle 5.5 in my irons / wedges.  I don't have an aggressive tempo but do generate the speed which merits x-stiff shafts.  I am curious though who has experience with such an experiment, intentionally going more flexible in iron shafts?

 

Finding a good shaft fit is more about tempo and timing than it is speed.  Although speed does factor into it.  First place to start is to try an S300, since they are easy to find.

 

J.B Holmes who was one of the fastest players on tour, used Dynamic Gold 'S' flex in his irons.

[20footputt]

I'm not nearly as big of a hitter or fast swinger but numbers wise I've always fit into stiff flex shafts.  I found that in the real world I prefer the feel of regular flex so that 1. it's not so heavy towards the end of a round, 2. I get a little higher ball flight and 3. I like the loading/unloading feel of a shaft vs. something that's really stiff.  I'd say play what gives you best results in the real world.

[mikec3672]

I swing about 98-100 (at my best warmed up) with the driver (used to be 100-104), and have in recent years been more comfortable in a 50 Gram Regular but high quality shaft (HZRDUS Silver 50 and Black 60 both 5.5 in Driver and woods, or Ventus Velocore 50 / 60 in my driver/woods). Sooooo.....with irons, for years, played PX 5.0 SS1X or PX 5.5 SS2X, but as those became too much work/a touch to heavy, I moved to PX LZ 5.5 SS1X (2X was a disaster, except for the wedges 54 and 58, which I love!). For me, the PX LZ is such a great shaft, and the 5.5 is no slouch, and I have to Soft Step it 1X to make it work for me on launch, spin, and ease of use. The 5.0's are ok, but a touch light. Had various stints with Modus 105 R, too soft, S too stiff, should have tried it Soft-Stepped (which I do have in a wedge and love it), and Aerotech i95 R, also a great shaft, that mimics the Dynamic Gold, but in a 95 gram constant weight package. For me though, 115 grams, when I am warm, and aggressive, is the current sweet spot for me. Point is to also consider weight, as much as you do flex.

Edited January 31 by mikec3672

[Dave22]

7 hours ago, BURKMI19 said:

I have used DG x100 or Rifle 6.5 shafts for twenty years now.  But I'm legitimately curious about trying S300 or Rifle 5.5 in my irons / wedges.  I don't have an aggressive tempo but do generate the speed which merits x-stiff shafts.  I am curious though who has experience with such an experiment, intentionally going more flexible in iron shafts?

I say try it.
 

I am high nineties SS with my 7 iron but have a long swing with speed and use PX LZ 6.0. I have hit my irons great since moving from x100, PX 7.0 and 6.5 over the years. 

 

I would have never guessed the shaft would fit me on paper but the way I release and the slighter lower weight works for me. 

[Roejye]

I got fit into Nippon Zelos 7 shafts in regular flex for my irons, and my irons have been so much more fun to swing. I think the overall weight is a big thing too. 

[Kingmax]

I recently switched out of x100 into s400, even trying s400 amt tour issue. The softer flex slows down my tempo and I’m still hitting it just as far. Accuracy is just as good due to the mental effect of swinging smoother. 
 

Best thing to do is try it out, we all adjust to equipment changes differently.