Help a tinkerer that tinkered himself into a corner - 43.25" driver

swood35 · April 16

I need help figuring out a 3 wood shaft for a driver that I'm taking a flier on. Reasons below, but straight to the question: How do you compare the weight on a shaft to the weight as the advertised cut weight. I've currently got a ping Tour 2.0 Chrome 75S shaft in which on Ping's site says it weighs 65g playing at 43.25". If I were looking at another shaft advertised as 75g, would it ultimately be about 70.5g (75-2.75*(75/46"length)? Also would anyone try to do anything tipping wise other than to have it built like a 3 wood? Plan on adding lead tape until the swingweight feels right.

Reasons below:

Long story short, three months ago just messing around I stuck a 3 wood shaft into my driver and started starting hitting an extra 4-5 fairways a round. (Ping Chrome 2.0S into a G430 max). My swing speed is about 110-112 with it vs. 45" driver which I get to 112-114. I'm happy on course taking the extra fairways which have kept me out of trouble and gave me some extra roll out yardage. It's also neutralized my path to 2-4 i/o vs 4-7.

Main issue is that the shaft is loose and if I do try to open it up, I start losing it which caps how hard I can swing. I also feel like I have some inconsistencies in strike location with it. (Basically, better delivery but somehow slightly worse face location which feels like it has to be the kick I'm feeling at the bottom). It's also obvious light which gives me one or two random pulls out of nowhere a round. Swingweighted at C5!!! I've added some lead tape, but I can't load too much because the shaft just can't handle it.

I had asked a few fitters if anyone would try to fit me into something a little more stout and heavy but the same length and general consensus was a polite no. One local fitter basically said they would fit me to a driver shaft he had at 45" and cut to length which made zero sense. I went to another fitter that was a great guy but kept just trying to put a 45.5 or 45" driver into my hand and ultimately just wasted a little money.

Milfordlefty · April 16

Add lead tape to the shaft until it doesn't feel loose at the swing speed you want. That will give you the final shaft length weight you want to look for and maybe a shaft with a stiffer tip.

swood35 · April 16

1 minute ago, Milfordlefty said:

Add lead tape to the shaft until it doesn't feel loose at the swing speed you want. That will give you the final shaft length weight you want to look for and maybe a shaft with a stiffer tip.

I didn't think of that. Any specific location? Would adding it just above head make the shaft flex more?

Milfordlefty · April 16

4 minutes ago, swood35 said:

I didn't think of that. Any specific location? Would adding it just above head make the shaft flex more?

I found this thread that might have your answer as to location of tape.

https://forums.golfwrx.com/topic/1857131-lead-tape-on-graphite-shaft-to-increase-static-weight-howard-elaborate-please/

Pepperturbo · April 16

47 minutes ago, swood35 said:

If I were looking at another shaft advertised as 75g, would it ultimately be about 70.5g (75-2.75*(75/46"length)?

Publicized shaft weights tend to be general weight, not actual weight and may be lighter weight after cut to playing length. That's when we swing weight to reach the desired feel. Mine is D2/D3 irons and D3 for driver and woods.

My driver has Ventus Velo 5 series, which has multiple flexes at different weights. Also have 6 series multiple weights based on different flex. I played a Diamana Blueboard 83 x5ct, but it's actually 78g.

I have a set of MMT 85S iron shafts that are actually 88g.

swood35 · April 16

1 hour ago, Pepperturbo said:

Publicized shaft weights tend to be general weight, not actual weight and may be lighter weight after cut to playing length. That's when we swing weight to reach the desired feel. Mine is D2/D3 irons and D3 for driver and woods.

.

I thought that the raw weight of the shaft before it's cut was the the actual weight. Like a Ventus Blue 7 is 75.5 at Stiff and 76 at XStiff and then the weight comes down as you cut it.

Pepperturbo · April 16

4 minutes ago, swood35 said:

I thought that the raw weight of the shaft before it's cut was the the actual weight. Like a Ventus Blue 7 is 75.5 at Stiff and 76 at XStiff and then the weight comes down as you cut it.

Generally, true. Except many OEM's offer a Series number that is mistakenly taken as weight. As I exampled MMT offers 85S shaft, but it's actually 88g.