Questions on Blueprinting Irons (to ALL & joey3108)

jcosjrgolf · February 16, 2006

I have read numerous discussions on blueprinting irons and have several questions to better understand this process. In blueprinting a set of iron shafts (I know there is more to it then my just my questions):

1.) We want a standard set (ie..3-W) of heads to weigh a difference of 7 grams?

2.) What about the weight of Wedges (Gap, Sand, Lob)? Do we do anything to match the standard set of head weights and 7 gram differential in #1?

3.) We build to a specified slope based on the golfer's specifications. A slope of 4 cpm's seems to be standard talk. I know rifles are built on a frequency slope (like 4.3 I believe?). What about Project X and True Temper (Dynamic Gold, Tour Concept,...) shafts? Can/are these shafts built to a specified slope. From reading discussions on this topic, answers to this question are all over the place. Some say yes while others say they are weight sorted only and not built on a standard slope. A set can frequency all over the place.

4.) What about the frequency of Wedges (Gap, Sand, Lob)? What do we do here? Do we frequency these wedges to match our standard iron set slope, whereas the W and Gap, Sand or Lob are on the same slope (if we assume a 4 cpm slope, the Gap, Sand or Lob will frequency 4 cpm higher than the W)? Do we build Gap, Sand, Lob to the same frequency or are they different?

Your input is appreciated!

jcosjrgolf

Dyno · February 16, 2006

I have read numerous discussions on blueprinting irons and have several questions to better understand this process. In blueprinting a set of iron shafts (I know there is more to it then my just my questions):

1.) We want a standard set (ie..3-W) of heads to weigh a difference of 7 grams?

2.) What about the weight of Wedges (Gap, Sand, Lob)? Do we do anything to match the standard set of head weights and 7 gram differential in #1?

3.) We build to a specified slope based on the golfer's specifications. A slope of 4 cpm's seems to be standard talk. I know rifles are built on a frequency slope (like 4.3 I believe?). What about Project X and True Temper (Dynamic Gold, Tour Concept,...) shafts? Can/are these shafts built to a specified slope. From reading discussions on this topic, answers to this question are all over the place. Some say yes while others say they are weight sorted only and not built on a standard slope. A set can frequency all over the place.

4.) What about the frequency of Wedges (Gap, Sand, Lob)? What do we do here? Do we frequency these wedges to match our standard iron set slope, whereas the W and Gap, Sand or Lob are on the same slope (if we assume a 4 cpm slope, the Gap, Sand or Lob will frequency 4 cpm higher than the W)? Do we build Gap, Sand, Lob to the same frequency or are they different?

Your input is appreciated!
jcosjrgolf

I'm not Joe but I look like a fatter homely version of him.

1) Basically the 7g increment works but what I do is precalc the estimated weight addition to each head based on a dryfit with the actual shaft and head. That way you can compensate and hit your target freq. Sometimes the heads have a size progression that moves the COG enough that the swingweights wander from the calculation so you finalize you can finalize the swingweight at the end if you really want to be precise.

2) Just do your differential based on your target lengths with consideration to CPM. If you move down to a 1/4" progression or even constant length then you won't need the 7g difference.

3) Project X doesn't slope worth a damn. If you build with PX, don't even freq them, it's a waste of time. Most steels freq between 4 and 5. My meter reads 0.1cpm but that kind of resolution is overkill. When you go to freq your shafts, you'll find the number can move around due to clamp pressure, twanging technique, etc. The number actually moves up the more you twang. I spoke to John Kaufman about this and he figured it must be some kind of work hardening. Guys that quote their iron shaft freq's to 0.1cpm are fooling themselves....as a builder you have to recognize what is important and what is not. The DG's and TC's tend to slope pretty well in the range stated above. TC's are pretty consistent considering they are taper. You can still dial in taper if they freq a bit soft if the hosel bore is a bit wide.

4) You have to figure first how you use those wedges. They dont' necessarily have to fall on the slope. If you only hit soft lobs with the LW, you might build that a few cpm lower. Often builders will flatline the wedges regardless of length.

One other thing is to make sure you bend for loft/lie before you do your final cut for length. Going a couple degrees either way can throw off the length alittle over 1/16 of an inch. I find that irritating myself :)

Hope this helps. Perhaps Joe can kick in some masterly tipz :D