Which shaft for Titleist TS3

[mikseymono]

Hi hive mind!

 

Long story short... my driver head on my TS3 9.5 is chipped/dented....when I look down at address I can see defect waving at me.....looking to replace head. Have found an exact replacement but has the option of two different shafts. The Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black or the Project X EvenFlow T1100 White.

 

I currently play the Tensei AV series 65 flex-s. I am male,53 years young :),  6' 2", 5 handicapper and my swing speed with driver is 102mph but looking to increase that with some speed training.

 

I live in remote France with NO access to large golf department stores to test out equipment.....however, I have my PRGR launch monitor with net and mat at home....and of course this excellent forum.

 

So, I am looking to you guys please as what would be a good shaft for me. It will be one or the other.....it is my last chance with my golf driver budget before I get caught by the cookie jar police........I would like a lower ball flight which suggests the smoke but would like to hear your experiences.

 

My golfing destiny is in your hands.....

 

Thank you!

Michael

Edited February 18, 2023 by mikseymono

[Jeff58]

Tensei AV’s come in several colors/flex patterns. Which do you have?

[mikseymono]

 

Tensei AV series blue 65 FLEX-S...piccy below...:)

 

 

Tensei 

Edited February 18, 2023 by mikseymono

[Jeff58]

Just my opinion-

 

We can’t see your swing and don’t know you. You are in a much better position to make this decision than anyone on a forum board.

 

You have a “blue” flex pattern, where the middle is the most flexible. Neither of the shafts you are considering match that flex pattern. The other two might be totally inappropriate for you.

 

Of the two listed, both will likely provide a lower launch/spin condition. The 1100 white has an unbalanced flex. The tip is very stiff, and the butt is rather flexible. It’s not the type of shaft that’s generally a good gamble to purchase untested. The Smoke Black has a very even flex, and for those with higher swing speeds is often a standard against which others are measured. If it was me and I had to pick one of them… 

[mikseymono]

Thanks for this.....Smoke Black was my gut feeling ...so I'm going to go for that. Then I'll have a play off between my 'current new shaft' and go from there!

[mikseymono]

So I have had both shafts for a week now. Played the Tensei for one week and results were good. Ball was long but the bad shot was a slight hooky dipper...if that makes sense...I can certainly feel the bottom of the shaft as it goes into the ball...

 

Moving on to the Smoke for a week......definately launcher lower......seems to carry further and so far no hooky dipper ...yet.....it certainly feels stiffer at the tip. More controllable.

 

I should say that although my glove size is M/L I have Midsize grips on my clubs.....to try to stop the flipper.....which mostly works.

 

So, both shafts are longer than my previous set up which was a Diamana stiff and both are one inch longer as well...this might also be a factor to be increased length off the tee...:) Coupled with some speed training and no tennis elbow this year I seemed to have picked up some distance and comfortably hit it at 102mph and carry 225m...just under 250 yards.....so they may all be contributing to a better result.....

 

I'll keep you posted after a few more weeks of speed training to see if there are any improvements....but for the moment...the Smoke is in the bag....

 

M