Any seniors go the lighter shaft/club route?

[jjfcpa]

A few months ago I decided to order some new clubs.  I knew my specs and didn't feel that a fitting was necessary.  After lots of research, I decided to order the Ping G430 irons.  At the time, my current games were T300's and there was nothing wrong with them, but the bag containing the T300's became my out-of-town bag at our home in another city, so I wanted to get a whole new bag for our primary residence... hence the G430's.

 

I've always ordered senior shafts and game improvement clubs.

 

When I went to order them, I noticed that they had a G430 HL option which not only had senior shafts but the clubs had a lighter grip and 15% lighter overall than the normal G430's.  

 

After much deliberation, I decided that the HL might work for me.  After using them for the first few weeks, I thought I had made a mistake; however, after playing them for about 10 rounds and comparing them to what I have been playing, I realized that they were performing better in every respect.  It took a few rounds to get them dialed in, but my confidence with them is growing with every round. 

 

So in my case, the lighter clubs have made a significant difference in the pleasure I get from playing golf.  Just wondering if any other seniors have gone that route?

[SwingMan]

At 68 yrs, I've gone to 90g graphite and D3, so no, I have not backed off. A little mass in the head is sometimes good. Lighter shaft, heavier head. Sometimes light  weight gets more swing speed for people but less ball speed. It's a balance. Worked for you apparently. Good luck!

[Roejye]

How about non seniors? I was 37 when I got fit into Nippon Zelos 7 shafts in my Cleveland Launcher xl's,  and while my handicap has increased, my enjoyment has increased immensely. I have a couple excuses for the handicap increase too, playing enough for my best scores dropped off, usually keeping track at courses other than my home course, but I think the biggest reason is I'm hitting good shots more often that I've limited myself to one mulligan per round.

 

I think a lot of people could benefit from trying lighter shafts.

[DLiver]

I have always played better with heavier shafts for some reason. As a senior, I have tried lighter shafts over the years, without success. Last time I got fit, I went from 120s to 110s, and that has worked well. But my attempts to get into the 90g range have not worked out. I lose both accuracy and distance. Weird, I know. I would love to go superlight and pick up some easy distance, but so far, no luck.

[jjfcpa]

I need to add that when I first moved to the G430 HL, I was hitting everything left.  Almost to the point that I was going to buy another set of T300's because that is what was in my other bag out of town.  But I decided to play the G430's a few more rounds and gradually, things started to turn around and dispersion improved a bunch, plus there was a nice bump in distance.

 

The more rounds I played, the more my confidence increased to the point that I think they are working better than than the T300's were.

 

Sometimes, I think we give up too soon after making a change and not really giving us a chance to dial things in.  I've experienced this more than a couple times.

[NoTalentLefty]

Started going to graphite shafts in all my clubs and got a bump of 10 yards and straighter line less dispersion. Started about 60 now 64. 

Edited June 4 by NoTalentLefty

[SEP1006]

Lighter shafts work well for me. 66 and in great physical shape, driver swing speed averages 90 - 95ish. Been playing the graphite MMT 80's in my irons now for about 5 years. Been playing the Autoflex SF505 ( about 50 grams ) since it came out in my Driver and 2 wd. Play the Riptide CB 4.0 40 gram Ladies flex in my 5/7 woods and they are automatic.

[gvogel]

After turning 70, I bought some Ping 7-irons this spring, G425.  One with the stock graphite regular shaft, the other with the stock senior graphite shaft.  I was having trouble adjusting, and thought it was the weight of the shaft.  Up to this year I played AP1 (712) with Titleist/Nippon 105T shafts (R).

 

The local Titleist fitter came and after trying a few others, I tried the Fubuki MV IR shaft in the Lite Action (senior) shaft.  It's around 50 grams.  The first time I hit it, the club went through the ball so easily - at least that was the sensation compared to the other shafts that I tried (Tensei Blue and Tensei Red).  

 

I also have a T300 7-iron with a Steelfiber i80 (R) shaft, which works.  But the Fubuki MV IR just feels easy.  7 to PW came but I haven't taken a full swing with them yet because of back surgery.  The half swings feel great.

 

I wish there was a senior section on this thread.

[596]

At 68 years old I'm playing Recoil Darts at 75g in everything from 4,5,6,7 hybrids to 8,9,PW,GW,SW.  

 

I came from PX 120 5.0 to the Recoils.  Much easier on the body.  But my grips weigh 75g more then a regular, JM Tour XL.  So I add weight to the head to swing at about C7.  Jury is still out on this setup as I'm testing this set against the same clubs with 75g less in the grip, JM UltraLite XL and no need for the head lead tape and still swinging at C7.  Either way they are lighter then the Mizuno 850 Pros with the PX 5.0 120.

[JAM01]

Me, went to G430 sft driver Alta Quick 45, sft 3 wood, and then 4,5,6,7 hybrids all in the 45 gram shaft. Lofted everything up 1.5 degrees, my first iron is the 42 degree PW then the 45, 50 in steel regular. I kept the steel shafted 5-9 irons for now. First time out was so so with the hybrids. Flight was low due to bad striking. That’s why I move them up hoping to see higher softer flight. I’m fully committed to senior golf (only 60) but my driver distance is 200 yds on a good strike so I’m happy to hit woods and hybrids on second and even third shots. I will say the 45 and 50 are so easy to hit. I’ll report back on the experiment as it continues. 
BTW - the light Lamkin UTX with the HL shafts feel great. 

Edited June 5 by JAM01

[Phebus]

Playing TSi1 and TSr1 woods in my bag. Love them as I’ve gained some distance back and they are just so easy to launch. 

[Sparty4202]

I turn 70 next month…I’ve tried lighter weight graphite shafts (65g) in my irons the last few years and just could find the right set up. I never could feel where the club head, even with a D3 SW. Also tried a 45g driver shaft this winter and it didn’t work for me. 
Last year I switched back to a 95g steel shaft in my irons and my ball striking has improved. My driver is 56g and fairway woods are all in the mid 60g range. I have experimented with some 85 & 95g graphite iron shafts but for now I’ll stick with what my steel shafts.

[2Down]

Why is everything predicated on distance.  yes I can hit a light whatever farther but I found I'm far more erratic with them.  

Did move to a ventus red 5S for my driver and I can pop it a bit but the rest of the bag has stayed with heavier woods through DG 120 S in my irons and DG whatevers in the wedges.  While not as long as I once was with anything I found chasing distance was not be the path that worked best for me.

I can't see really well anymore so I can't really do the range dance as well but I do manage to keep my scores reasonable (to me) with a lot more time at the chipping/bunker practice areas of my course.   

 

[SEP1006]

55 minutes ago, 2Down said:

Why is everything predicated on distance.  yes I can hit a light whatever farther but I found I'm far more erratic with them.  

Did move to a ventus red 5S for my driver and I can pop it a bit but the rest of the bag has stayed with heavier woods through DG 120 S in my irons and DG whatevers in the wedges.  While not as long as I once was with anything I found chasing distance was not be the path that worked best for me.

I can't see really well anymore so I can't really do the range dance as well but I do manage to keep my scores reasonable (to me) with a lot more time at the chipping/bunker practice areas of my course.   

 

 

Before I swapped to the Autoflex I was playing the Tensei Red at 50 grams. Driver had always been my weakest club in the bag, very erratic and inconsistent with it.

 

I will admit that when I went to the Autoflex I was definitely looking for more distance. But it is by far the most accurate shaft I've ever played. And when I put a good swing on it I do get the extra distance I was originally chasing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Follow The Sun]

Use Even Flow Riptide CB 5.0 A, 40G shaft on my driver. 

 

Thumbs Up 

[bellken]

I have gone lighter - 85 g, heavier - 95 g, then, lighter again - 75-78 g. Does it make a difference? To me it make my bag lighter. I can't say, I hit it farther with lighter clubs (well, maybe a yard or 2), but, I have been working on my swing, so, ymmv.

 

fwiw, I haven't gone lighter on the fw, and, hybrids. I have tried lighter in the driver(> 50g), but, it didn't work for me. 

[WilliePPQ]

73, been playing since early 60's still learning something every time I play this crazy game. Lighter shafts just didn't work for me. Lost all feel for the head. Played with counterbalancing heavier shaft and voila found a solution that works for me. Also trimmed length to 44-44 1/2 tops. So lots of options to consider as well as lighter shafts. Swing weight can be dabbled with all kinds of ways. 

[lambo428]

Irons: went from more offset & lighter graphite shafts to less offset and heavier graphite shafts (T300 tensei red to T200 tensei blue) effect: no longer long and left (in jail) to much more accuracy especially when I get to 100 yards and less.  This applies to my driver as well - not as long and off target to more on target but not as long.  For me, golf is more fun when I'm closer to or in the fairway especially now that my irons/wedges are working.  Now, I'm working on my hybrids (not a fan of fairways).

 

With that said, I just purchased a Ping G430 HL 5 hybrid and a Callaway Rogue ST Max 4 hybrid, had one round with them.  Too early to tell if these will work, but the lefts are emerging...

 

[Tiptx1122]

I feel that the lighter I go the harder I seem to want to swing and it throws my tempo off. Now My driver and fairway woods all start in the low 60 to mid and my irons are i95 SF. I played recoils Smacwrap F3's and the were too light. My iron shafts are not heavy but they are heavier than what I have played in the past and I like the fact that I don't feel like I have to swing as hard to get the accuracy and distance I'm after

[Milfordlefty]

I tried a set with a Miyazaki 60 gram R flex iron shaft over the winter. As I went to lighter shafts in driver and fwy woods, thought time in irons (came from 98 gram R flex steels). Recognize uncut shaft starts at 60-63 grams (mfg tolerance), but once tip and butt trimmed, you are in the low 50s installed. I couldn't feel the club in the back swing, by this I mean heft, so off to ebay they will go. As an experiment decided to reshaft some old irons I still had with Powerflex graphite A flex (went inexpensive as an experiment) which are 90 gram +/- 3 grams per mfg. I like them. Lighter than the steels shafts I played last year, but not to light.

Now going to use them in a 6-GW set which are GI design but more of a retro loft (gw is 47°).

So my recommendation is to follow other who've posted is buy a 7 iron in a lighter shaft and try before you buy a full set. Lighter doesn't always mean longer/better.

[ChipNRun]

On 6/4/2023 at 1:41 PM, SwingMan said:

At 68 yrs, I've gone to 90g graphite and D3, so no, I have not backed off. A little mass in the head is sometimes good. Lighter shaft, heavier head.

 

After years of testing out graphite shafts in irons, I finally switched over last time. (Now age 72)

 

Went from steel KBS Tour 90 parallel (~95 grams) in Tour Edge CB Pro Tungstens to graphite PX Catalyst 65 5.5 parallel (~70 grams) in MAXs.

 

The PX Catalysts feel lighter, but not that much lighter. Shaft balance point has a  influence on feel of shaft. And, as SwingMan said...

 

On 6/4/2023 at 1:41 PM, SwingMan said:

A little mass in the head is sometimes good. Lighter shaft, heavier head.

 

 A fitter told me that Ping and Callaway were doing this: giving seniors lighter shafts, but using tip weights to keep old SwWt so they can feel head at the top.

 

Unfortunately, Callaway rep talked me out of this near end of pandemic, said this would cause major shipping delay. Result: irons feel a bit feathery at top. And, back of MAX clubhead doesn't have very good landing points for lead tape. Oh well...

[ShortGolfer]

My XXIO 12s have a convenient place for adding lead tape.  In back, on the bottom.  Just to be sure they stayed in place I used some hot melt glue, then used a heat gun to nicely melt it in place.

 

If you can figure out how much weight you need to add to the head, tungsten tip weights could be added if the shafts are pulled and re-epoxied in place.

[SwingMan]

On 6/7/2023 at 1:46 PM, ChipNRun said:

 

After years of testing out graphite shafts in irons, I finally switched over last time. (Now age 72)

 

Went from steel KBS Tour 90 parallel (~95 grams) in Tour Edge CB Pro Tungstens to graphite PX Catalyst 65 5.5 parallel (~70 grams) in MAXs.

 

The PX Catalysts feel lighter, but not that much lighter. Shaft balance point has a  influence on feel of shaft. And, as SwingMan said...

 

 

 A fitter told me that Ping and Callaway were doing this: giving seniors lighter shafts, but using tip weights to keep old SwWt so they can feel head at the top.

 

Unfortunately, Callaway rep talked me out of this near end of pandemic, said this would cause major shipping delay. Result: irons feel a bit feathery at top. And, back of MAX clubhead doesn't have very good landing points for lead tape. Oh well...

 

Nothing wrong with applying lead tape. I've done it several times ... with Mizunos and now with i230's.

[Pepperturbo]

I qualify as a senior, only my friends say otherwise. LOL 

 

It all started late last year, when I set aside my 620 MBs with MMT 105 "S" to order ultra-light 60-68g AM2 'S' composite shafts in my new T200s & T100s irons, hoping to regain yardage, thanks to aging. 

 

A few influential friends were suggesting I try lighter senior shafts.  At first, ultra-light 60-68g AM2 'S' composite were ok, but swing weight was problematic, so we determined they were too light for my fast tempo.  I ordered 70g-88g AM2 "S" shafts which lasted +/- months.  Having been spending more time at the gym, my strength was increasing, so I bought MMT 95g "S".  These are fine shafts, but the mid-bend required me to slow my tempo too much; which wasn't happening during a game.  And so, a month back I went to trusted HIGH bend 88g-108g "S" TENSEI™ AV White AM2 shafts, SW=D2-D4 in 2i-Wedge, glad I did. 

 

I am happy and scoring is reflecting the fit. 

[LeoLeo99]

At 60, I'm one of the youngest in my group and still playing steel shafted irons at about 110 grams shafts.  I'll pick some of the 75+ guys' clubs and marvel at how light they are.  One guy who's 67 is running up against old man time and still playing a heavy steel shaft with a forged players cavity back.  His ball striking isn't what it used to be and I think he could do better with a lighter set of clubs with stronger lofts but I don't think he'll ever change.  

[ChipNRun]

1 hour ago, SwingMan said:

Nothing wrong with applying lead tape. I've done it several times ... with Mizunos and now with i230's.

 

True, I have lead tape applied on the flat metal surfaces on back of my MD wedges. The problem I'm having with MAVs: Most of back of clubhead is covered with plastic insert or metal medallion - I'm worried the denser lead tape will strip them off.

[Lobby]

It’s amazing to me how many seniors on this thread are playing with heavy shafts. 
 

im using 65 g shafts in my irons. And 40g shaft in driver

 

i’ve tried 50 g shafts but they’re too heavy / stiff. I can’t time their release. 

[SwingMan]

12 hours ago, ChipNRun said:

 

True, I have lead tape applied on the flat metal surfaces on back of my MD wedges. The problem I'm having with MAVs: Most of back of clubhead is covered with plastic insert or metal medallion - I'm worried the denser lead tape will strip them off.

 

That is a tough break. Callaway has double value on trade-in's this month. I'd take a look.

[rgk5]

If you check below, only four shafts are heavier than 70 grams, the MMT in the Cobra hybid, the 950 Neos, and the Dynamic R in the Dynapower SW.

 

I would add that I am 76 years old.

Edited June 9 by rgk5