Fit me for Graphite!

[5hort5tuff]

Hello all! 

 

I'm looking to make the move to graphite at some point this season due to some wrist and shoulder issues. I'm looking to decrease the strain on my joints. 

 

I'm looking for suggestions for some shafts to Demo. 

 

I currently use TT Score shafts in stiff. Regardless of my previous shafts I could always use a little more spin and launch from my irons. I'm not a huge hitter, hit my 7 iron around 155 total. Driver shaft is a ALDILA rogue 110MSI silver...and it feels perfect. 

 

I was obviously thinking of the Steelfibre i95s....but would like to hear what you all think. 

[Nessism]

Negative on Steelfiber.  They are a low launch profile.  Try Recoil, or Accra iCWT shafts.  Both are mid profile, with great feel.  

[hammergolf]

1 hour ago, 5hort5tuff said:

Hello all! 

 

I'm looking to make the move to graphite at some point this season due to some wrist and shoulder issues. I'm looking to decrease the strain on my joints. 

 

I'm looking for suggestions for some shafts to Demo. 

 

I currently use TT Score shafts in stiff. Regardless of my previous shafts I could always use a little more spin and launch from my irons. I'm not a huge hitter, hit my 7 iron around 155 total. Driver shaft is a ALDILA rogue 110MSI silver...and it feels perfect. 

 

I was obviously thinking of the Steelfibre i95s....but would like to hear what you all think. 

If you want more launch and spin, stay away from SF. MMT, Recoil, and KBS TGI will give you higher launch and spin.

[vman]

Steelfiber FC could be a better option.

[phizzy30]

Recoil or MMT.

[5hort5tuff]

Thanks for the info so far. I was thinking of starting with a Maltby Pro in stiff. Its 85g and apparently holds up well.   Any other experience with graphite shafts...keep it coming!

[SEP1006]

100% MMT, they have a variety of weights you can choose as well. Smooth feel and great dispersion.

[Streuner]

IF Steelfiber or MMT or Axiom please go to a fitting, they feel different from each other and all of them are on the stiff side of the flex chart. 

[Stuart_G]

16 hours ago, 5hort5tuff said:

I was obviously thinking of the Steelfibre i95s....but would like to hear what you all think. 

 

The number 1 key to a successful transition to graphite is finding the best weight first.  Many people go too light when transitioning to graphite and the game (and experience of graphite) suffers because of it.    Don't assume that lighter is better - and that applies both for swing speed and the effect on joint and other medical issues.    The shock of impact is by far the greater contribution to joint issues than weight (for most - there can always be exceptions).  And a 115 gm graphite shaft usually gives the same amount of pain relief as a 75 gm shaft.    I believe the SCORE shafts are ~117 gm - so not sure I'd recommend going below 90 gm's when going to graphite.

 

Secondly, don't pick a shaft for launch and spin - it's the least important or most inconsistent contributor to that.  Pick it for feel and consistency and dispersion.   The "launch and spin" characteristic of a shaft is NOT a good reason to stay away from it or gravitate toward any particular shaft.  Get out and try anything you can get your hands on.

 

Steelfiber i95's - try both the Reg and stiff flex.  For  some people the 'normal' flex works well but for some others find it a bit harsh and those people might be better off dropping down a flex.

 

The steelfiber FC90 and FC115 are an option a lot of people overlook - a softer tip ("higher launching") option from Aerotech.    The FC115's are probably going to be the closest thing to what you're currently playing.

 

UST Recoils are always an option to try.  Dart 105 and  Recoil 95  - somewhere between the i95's and FC90's in stiffness feel.

 

Those are probably the best (IMO "reasonably priced") options for taper tip, constant weight shafts.

 

Some parallel tip options:

 

Fuji Pro 95 gm

 

MRC MMT 90 gm  (there are heavier 105 gm taper tip MMT's available but the there is a big jump up in price for them)

 

Aldila NV 95 gm is one of the more economical options that are not potentially going to be too light for you.

 

 

Edited May 26 by Stuart_G

[Colej]

9 hours ago, 5hort5tuff said:

Thanks for the info so far. I was thinking of starting with a Maltby Pro in stiff. Its 85g and apparently holds up well.   Any other experience with graphite shafts...keep it coming!

The maltby pro series plays a flex stiffer. 

[NRJyzr]

20 hours ago, 5hort5tuff said:

I currently use TT Score shafts in stiff.

 

Based on this, I would think the Fuji Pro 95 in stiff (not Tour Spec Stiff, though) would be a good fit.  I don't think the Score is as stiff as something like DG, the Pro 95 stiff is also a bit softer than DG.  Seems a good parallel, at least in theory.

 

[5hort5tuff]

5 hours ago, Stuart_G said:

 

The number 1 key to a successful transition to graphite is finding the best weight first.  Many people go too light when transitioning to graphite and the game (and experience of graphite) suffers because of it.    Don't assume that lighter is better - and that applies both for swing speed and the effect on joint and other medical issues.    The shock of impact is by far the greater contribution to joint issues than weight (for most - there can always be exceptions).  And a 115 gm graphite shaft usually gives the same amount of pain relief as a 75 gm shaft.    I believe the SCORE shafts are ~117 gm - so not sure I'd recommend going below 90 gm's when going to graphite.

 

Secondly, don't pick a shaft for launch and spin - it's the least important or most inconsistent contributor to that.  Pick it for feel and consistency and dispersion.   The "launch and spin" characteristic of a shaft is NOT a good reason to stay away from it or gravitate toward any particular shaft.  Get out and try anything you can get your hands on.

 

Steelfiber i95's - try both the Reg and stiff flex.  For  some people the 'normal' flex works well but for some others find it a bit harsh and those people might be better off dropping down a flex.

 

The steelfiber FC90 and FC115 are an option a lot of people overlook - a softer tip ("higher launching") option from Aerotech.    The FC115's are probably going to be the closest thing to what you're currently playing.

 

UST Recoils are always an option to try.  Dart 105 and  Recoil 95  - somewhere between the i95's and FC90's in stiffness feel.

 

Those are probably the best (IMO "reasonably priced") options for taper tip, constant weight shafts.

 

Some parallel tip options:

 

Fuji Pro 95 gm

 

MRC MMT 90 gm  (there are heavier 105 gm taper tip MMT's available but the there is a big jump up in price for them)

 

Aldila NV 95 gm is one of the more economical options that are not potentially going to be too light for you.

 

 

 

I would be happy staying around 100g. I don't want to go light, I generally hit better dispersion with the 115g shafts...anything. Less in steel hasn't showed any benefit to me in the past. 

[Stuart_G]

14 minutes ago, 5hort5tuff said:

 

I would be happy staying around 100g. I don't want to go light, I generally hit better dispersion with the 115g shafts...anything. Less in steel hasn't showed any benefit to me in the past. 

 

Then I'd start with the Aerotech Steelfiber FC115's and the UST Recoil 110's (if you can find any - I think they're being discontinued) and see how they feel.  If you cant' find the Recoil 110's then the Dart 105's would probably be the next best bet.

Edited May 26 by Stuart_G

[Klubster]

22 hours ago, 5hort5tuff said:

Hello all! 

 

 

 

I currently use TT Score shafts in stiff. Regardless of my previous shafts I could always use a little more spin and launch from my irons. I'm not a huge hitter, hit my 7 iron around 155 total.

I assume the 7i carry is something short of 155.  That would make me question the choice of stiff, especially in the Maltby shaft.  A regular shaft may help both your launch and spin.

[Stuart_G]

Just now, Klubster said:

I assume the 7i carry is something short of 155.  That would make me question the choice of stiff, especially in the Maltby shaft.  A regular shaft may help both your launch and spin.

 

Actually that's perfectly in the range for stiff flex.  Although there is no standard for flex so those recommendations aren't really that important.   Personal preference for feel is always going to be WAY more important than swing speed or distances as a selection process.

 

Also, softer flex generally means softer butt frequency and you need a softer tip to get more launch - assuming you have a late enough release to actually get any additional dynamic loft from the shaft (which many am's do not).   It's much better and more reliable to find a good fit for feel and dispersion and then bend the lofts if you need more launch.   Chasing launch/spin gains with shaft changes can work some times but they also frequently end up as a wild goose chase or exercise in futility.

 

[Pepperturbo]

16 minutes ago, Klubster said:

I assume the 7i carry is something short of 155.  That would make me question the choice of stiff, especially in the Maltby shaft.  A regular shaft may help both your launch and spin.

Disagree, not a Maltby person either. 

 

I have a lot of experience with various SF and MMT, along with some other composite.  Settled on MMT 125S, then to my current MMT 95S in new T100 3&4i and 105S in T100 5i-9i, with 7i carry 147-150 depending on my joints, and I am 70+.  Even at my age, none of the Regular flex composite shafts hold up to a fast tempo and transition.  One man's experience.  

[5hort5tuff]

The reason I do stuff...is for dispersion. I always have better dispersion with slightly stiffer shafts.  I have tried many over the years and always end up best with something in the 115gish range uncut weight, and stiff. Now something on the very stiff end, PX 6.0 or DGs300 is always too stiff...so I usually end up with a softer stiff profile.

[5hort5tuff]

I should also have stated I'm not overly interested in spending big bucks on super premium iron shafts....I just can't afford it at this time.  The MMts are more than I want to spend at this time. 

Edited May 26 by 5hort5tuff

[ChrisATL]

Will echo the SF FC suggestion - they are def a better flighting choice. Tons of options from MMT too - good luck!

[Stuart_G]

17 hours ago, 5hort5tuff said:

I should also have stated I'm not overly interested in spending big bucks on super premium iron shafts....I just can't afford it at this time.  The MMts are more than I want to spend at this time. 

 

I agree the prices are getting a bit crazy but unfortunately there are no "reasonably" priced options for graphite shafts above 100 gm's.   And the best price in the 90-100 gm range are probably the Aldila NV's - which is still around $35 per shaft and doesn't give you much choice for fitting for stiffness feel.   Anything less than that is going to be in the 70-85 gm range.

 

Maybe start off trying the prosoft inserts in your current shafts and switch to a softer grip like the CP2, CPX or Lamkin Sonar+ and see if that's enough to help with your wrist issues.   That or keep an eye out for a set of pulls and cross your fingers that they will work.

Edited May 27 by Stuart_G

[Colej]

19 hours ago, 5hort5tuff said:

 

I would be happy staying around 100g. I don't want to go light, I generally hit better dispersion with the 115g shafts...anything. Less in steel hasn't showed any benefit to me in the past. 

Current iron heads are .355 or .370 hosel? 
 

 

Edited May 27 by Colej

[5hort5tuff]

I play Maltby heads. .370.  

 

Last night I found a seller locally selling a set of Steelfibres 115fc in Stiff. I'm going to shaft up a spare 7 iron head I have and report back when they arrive. 

[NRJyzr]

Another option not yet mentioned are the Rapid Taper shafts.  Varying weights, come in Reg & Stiff

 

[Colej]

3 hours ago, NRJyzr said:

Another option not yet mentioned are the Rapid Taper shafts.  Varying weights, come in Reg & Stiff

 

great shaft!

Edited May 27 by Colej

[Andygolderson]

your wrists will not be happy if you go to Steelfiber...

[Stuart_G]

5 hours ago, Andygolderson said:

your wrists will not be happy if you go to Steelfiber...

 

Very unlikely.   My wrists and hands were VERY happy to move to steelfiber (either the i-series or the FC's).  

And on top of that, the FC's series steelfibers are a completely different shaft from the i-series.

[Pepperturbo]

On 5/26/2024 at 9:55 AM, 5hort5tuff said:

I should also have stated I'm not overly interested in spending big bucks on super premium iron shafts....I just can't afford it at this time.  The MMts are more than I want to spend at this time. 

I hear you.  

 

Composite is getting too costly.  MMT is around $75-$85 ea and Axiom is $100+ ea.  After install, that's $700++ just for shafts.

[Pepperturbo]

On 5/27/2024 at 9:26 PM, Andygolderson said:

your wrists will not be happy if you go to Steelfiber...

I have been dealing with osteoarthritis in my left wrist for the last 10 years, and have played Steelfiber and now MMT for the last six years. I have to disagree.  Neither of those composite shafts are anything like my PX 6.0.

[vandyfan]

On 5/26/2024 at 10:27 AM, Klubster said:

I assume the 7i carry is something short of 155.  That would make me question the choice of stiff, especially in the Maltby shaft.  A regular shaft may help both your launch and spin.

 

I would have as well until I did my graphite fitting. I carry a 32* 7 iron 165-171 yds and I was put into an X stiff shaft which I would have never considered on my own. Did not feel boardy (it was an Axiom so outside of the price range being discussed here) but the Steelfiber 125 X felt VERY boardy and the MMT just felt...weird. All about the same weight and the same "flex" (as the company labeled it, not necessarily the same CPM) but VASTLY differently feels and presumably different profiles. I was blown away at how much I could change ballflight between those....which stresses the importance of a fitting/optimization whatever you want to call it. I learned so much about my game from my last iron fitting it made (a) want to go back and replay all my rounds from the last 2 years with the right shaft/lie angle combo and (b) is probably going to have me going back through my "self-fit" bag because now I am questioning my own ability to objectively view my ballflight. Which is going to be expen$ive. It's okay, my kids will learn from my mistakes.....

Edited May 29 by vandyfan

[Stuart_G]

11 minutes ago, vandyfan said:

 It's okay, my kids will learn from my mistakes.....

 

If so, you're doing WAY better than most with them 😁