Using Matrix Shafts in 2023?

[gordo865]

I’m currently gaming an old Nike Vapor Fly pro with the stock diamana blue stiff shaft in it. I’ve got a Matrix Ozik MFS Black Tie 80m4 X in my 3 wood at the moment along with a hm3 black tie 95 in my 3 hybrid. My driver is the only club in my bag that’s not X-stiff (or low launch low spin for that matter) so I’m looking at buying a shaft for relatively cheap on eBay. I’m looking at a black tie 60m4 in X for it but I wanted to make sure these shafts haven’t been completely passed by technologically. There are plenty of good low/low shafts for under $100 out there right now that are more modern like the smoke green and smoke black. 
 

Basically is it dumb to buy a matrix shaft in 2023?

[gordo865]

I guess the root of my question is more, how much has shaft tech really advanced in the last 10 years? I feel like driver tech has been fairly stagnant. An un-used "New" driver from 4 or 5 years ago can still sell for $300+. Meanwhile I'm seeing HZRDUS Smoke Green and Black shafts listed for $80-$100 and these Matrix shafts for $70. Just curious why these older shafts are selling for so low and my first thought was "has shaft technology really gotten that much better in the last few years?"

[golfinbrad]

Materials and manufacturing processes have improved in that shafts tolerances are tighter.  That said if an older shaft works for you it doesn't mean you will gain anything from a newer shaft.  A 5+ year old driver is different than a 5+ year old shaft.  The Graphite Design AD continues to be a popular shaft.  You still see V2, NV, etc in bags.  Matching the weight and profile is more important than latest and greatest.

[bluedot]

It’s possible a ten year old shaft is THE best fit for you.  It is also not very likely.  Not only have shafts gotten a lot better AND more varied, but the availability of testing has completely changed the equation for the better.

 

Get on a reliable launch monitor and see what the numbers are.  It’s possible a 10 yr old shaft is a great fit for you.  It’s also possible it isn’t.

 

Full disclosure: I bought and installed a Matrix Xcon 5 in my Ping Rapture, maybe 12 years ago?  Then moved it over to a G15.  I absolutely loved that shaft, and the fairway made-for version IMO is a BIG reason the original RBZ fairways are among the most iconic ever made.  I still have the Xcon 5 in my hall closet, with an old Ping adapter on it, but it wasn’t nearly as good in LM testing as the Ping TFC stock shaft when I was fitted for a G30.

Edited March 14, 2023 by bluedot

[VictorGouda]

Matrix shafts do hold their own to todays shaft, read this forum. Though the pre m4-line would be best I'd say. I still use the Black Tie 8M3, HM3 in my hybrid and TP-7 ( wow) in a old R7 5-wood. 

 

[WristySwing]

If you are looking for a more modern version, I think it is LA Golf that bought out what was left of Matrix.  They have some designs that are gaining popularity (L-series irons, and the Bryson and DJ wood lines).

[mizuno player]

Still using Red Tie MFS 70x in my m2 3 wood. Not changing any time soon. It's a great combo.  

 

Matrix was a top notch shaft company in their time. I would not hesitate to continue using or buying one to use of that's what works best for my swing. 

Edited March 14, 2023 by mizuno player

[Nollster]

I installed old school Matrix shafts in my woods/hybrids. I’m giving an X-con 5 a go in my driver, a lime green Altus in my 3w and a Code-7 in my 5w. Also playing Altus in my UT 4 irons. The feel in these is unlike any other shaft I’ve tried except the GD Tour AD DIs and IZs I have as backups. 

[DrShaftE]

I have 7Q4 in my 3 wood, 7M5 in 5 wood and 6Q3 and 6M5 shafts for driver.

Great shafts compared to newer shafts. 

[phizzy30]

They're really good shafts but technology has passed them by, IMO.  I had the TP6HD, Altus hybrid, white tie/black tie hybrid and tested countless others.  Modern shafts tend to be a bit more stable especially at lighter weights compared to their older counterparts.  These companies incorporate different/updated materials to also enhance feel.  Back in the day you would need to sacrifice feel for performance but that's not always the case these days. 

Edited April 14 by phizzy30

[ignitewvu]

I play a 10 year old shaft in my fairway wood and nothing out there can touch it for my swing.

[1mcozik]

I still have a F6M2 in my backup driver that I use in the simulator randomly. Still good shaft, better is subjective based on your swing.

[jedc]

I say give it a go. I still play Aldila VS proto shafts in my fairway woods and have no reason to change. I just had a Ozik Altus put in a hybrid to give it a try as a compliment to my Modus 120x iron shafts. You never know until you give it a swing. 

[kmak]

 I have played a TP6HD in my driver since they first came out.  I have often done driver fittings and have never been able to find soemthing better. It is possible that my swing is now set up to hit this shaft the best. I think I have about my 7th head in the same shaft.

[Anser3]

If the Matrix work for you, awesome. Use it.   I loved the Black Tie 7M3 years ago.  

 

Bubba Watson used a Grafalloy Bimatrix shaft up until 2022.  The shaft underwent very minor changes  (mostly from Grafalloy to Project X branding--both companies are owned by True Temper so it was basically the same shaft).  It was a 20+ year old shaft at that point.  He only switched because of a slight loss in distance and moved from an 83 gram shaft to a 60 gram one.

Edited April 15 by Anser3

[phizzy30]

31 minutes ago, Anser3 said:

If the Matrix work for you, awesome. Use it.   I loved the Black Tie 7M3 years ago.  

 

Bubba Watson used a Grafalloy Bimatrix shaft up until 2022.  The shaft underwent very minor changes  (mostly from Grafalloy to Project X branding--both companies are owned by True Temper so it was basically the same shaft).  It was a 20+ year old shaft at that point.  He only switched because of a slight loss in distance and moved from an 83 gram shaft to a 60 gram one.

What shaft is Bubba playing these days? 

[Anser3]

3 minutes ago, phizzy30 said:

What shaft is Bubba playing these days? 

 

 

Hzrdus Smoke Black RDX 60 6.5 TX.