Champions tour shaft flex

[BB17406]

Anyone have an idea about the shaft flex in the irons of players on the

Champions Tour. Noticed a WITB for Jay Haas that said he used TTDS300.

 

Do they softstep? Anyone using regular shafts? Just wondering if anyone has any info.

[Hidalgo]

Well, it's been a few years (2005) but if memory serves me correctly .....

Gary McCord used DGS300 in his irons

John Jacobs used X100 in his irons (he hit it a mile, and still does)

Hale Irwin was the only player using graphite iron shafts, and believe it or not they were labeled "Firm" and not stiff.

I believe you would find, if you could verify the info, that the vast majority are still using STIFF flex shafts. When it comes to iron shots, they aren't as concerned with length as they are with dispersion, feel, and accuracy. These guys (90% of them) are still hitting it almost as far as they did when they were on the PGA Tour. Like I've said before, and most informed fitters and instructors will tell you, it isn't strength that's important ... it's timing and technique. You don't have to be strong to load a shaft.

[Pepperturbo]

[quote name='BB17406' post='2116522' date='Dec 10 2009, 02:09 PM']Anyone have an idea about the shaft flex in the irons of players on the
Champions Tour. Noticed a WITB for Jay Haas that said he used TTDS300.

Do they softstep? Anyone using regular shafts? Just wondering if anyone has any info.[/quote]

There are many that play "R", but many more that play "S", hard and soft stepped, and some that still play "X". What's played has a great deal to do with their physical conditioning; as is the case for the result of the golfing world. Age is a state of mind. I am 60 and strong so still playing standard PX flighted and standard 6.0 and "X" or "S" in my wood shafts depending on weight.

[BB17406]

Thanks for the reply. I, too, still use DGlite S300 and am in middle 60's and stiff shaft in my driver. Probably won't change, but always curious about alternative shafts.

[Pepperturbo]

The fact that it's "lite" is why old guys are still playing "s" and "x" profiles. The real measure is if the old guy can flex the stand weight version of those profiles? Do I hear a "thank you" to advanced technology??

[Hidalgo]

[quote name='Pepperturbo' post='2118220' date='Dec 11 2009, 11:06 AM']The fact that it's "lite" is why old guys are still playing "s" and "x" profiles. The real measure is if the old guy can flex the stand weight version of those profiles? Do I hear a "thank you" to advanced technology?? [/quote]

I don't know how much you're around the Champions Tour, or if you know any of the players. But your assumption that they can't load a standard DGS300 is a crock. I know better.

[petter7]

[quote name='Pepperturbo' post='2119084' date='Dec 11 2009, 05:58 PM']You'd choke on your crock if you knew who my neighbors are.[/quote]

Trust me, no one cares who your neighbors are.

There are players who use pretty soft shafts and some that use extra stiff shafts.
The vast majority of players probably use stiff shafts. I'm a senior pro and I use
stiff shafts and most of the other senior pro players down here in florida use stiff
flex shafts in their irons. Most likely the same situation on the Champions Tour.

[Hidalgo]

[quote name='Pepperturbo' post='2119084' date='Dec 11 2009, 05:58 PM']You'd choke on your crock if you knew who my neighbors are.[/quote]


[quote name='petter7' post='2119106' date='Dec 11 2009, 06:08 PM']Trust me, no one cares who your neighbors are. [/quote]

Agreed.

As far as me "choking" ... I don't need neighbors ... I have friends out there playing.

[wrmiller]

I don't know anyone on the Champions tour personally, but I play with guys my age and older (I'm 54) at the local munis who still play stiff steel shafts in their irons. I just got my new MPs with px 5.5s thinking I needed to step down from my previous irons and their 6.0s. Now I'm hooking like crazy and trying to figure out what to do.

I play with a guy who's almost 60, hits it almost as far as I do, and plays DG X-100s in his irons. I hope I'm still swing that well in 5 years!

[Pepperturbo]

Some people on this board have the social skills of a ...

[Hidalgo]

[quote name='Pepperturbo' post='2137531' date='Dec 21 2009, 06:31 PM']Some people on this board have the social skills of a ...[/quote]

With ranging remarks like the one you made, what do you expect. [i]"Who my neighbors are..."[/i] sounds like the little kid who is only trying to show everyone up.

If you got info to share, we'd appreciate it. Do you think your "neighbors" don't want their names mentioned? My wife worked at NCSU for several years. I got to know the staff at Prestonwood CC extremely well and still do. When the Champions Tour came there every year, I was introduced to a number of them. We even stayed at the same hotels in town most of the time. I became friends with McCord, Jacobs, and several other players who are lesser-known. Am I bragging? Absolutely not. But I do know a lot about their games and equipment because I still talk to them at times. I played regularly on a Senior Tour on the east coast that at times became a "proving ground" for some of the Champions Tour players coming off injuries or who lived in the area. I've also played rounds in competition with John Jacobs, Tom McKnight, and James Mason.

Sorry if I peed in your Cheerios earlier, but I know first-hand what some of the guys are playing. You didn't offer any info except to [b]not [/b]mention your neighbors name......

[teespoon]

The changes become necessary, only as needed, and not at any specific age. For me, the last 3 years have been time to rebuild the game, as strength and clubhead speed have declined. I am now 70. What matters is being able to play the game.

teespoon

[Hidalgo]

[quote name='teespoon' post='2138314' date='Dec 22 2009, 04:27 AM'][u][b]I am now 70[/b][/u]. What matters is being able to play the game.

teespoon[/quote]

Wow teespoon ... I hope I am still ALIVE at 70. Golf will be a bonus.

[pickerjohn]

Not to one-up Teespoon, but I'm 71 (recently) and play Nippon 850 GH R flex
in my irons, but as late as age 67, I was playing DG S-300. Then one day , like overnight,
the trajectory got lower and lower, so I went to a lighter weight, more flexible shaft,
and it went back to normal. Most of the Sr. players I have known used DG S-300 or 400.

[wkuo3]

[quote name='pickerjohn' post='2143340' date='Dec 25 2009, 10:42 AM']like overnight, the trajectory got lower and lower,[/quote]

No Kidding, things happen fast and immediately.
Time flies when you get older.