Help with shaft info: Dynamic Gold S300 vs Rifle 5.5

rva · February 18, 2013

Just want to get an informed opinion on this. I currently use Titleist 990 irons with Royal Precision 5.5 Rifle Shafts. Really happy with them. But lately ive been wanting to try out having a sort of combo set. I've bagged Titleist 681 Musclebacks with DG S300 shafts. So for my 8-PW, I decided to use the 681's for max feel (which is amazing). I hit it more accurately and can get more control on the spin than I do my 990's.

Problem is, the 681's are 1 club shorter (10 yards or so) than the 990s. This then leaves me a one club yardage gap between my 7 and 8 iron.

My question is, is this distance loss on account of the shafts? Because if so, should I just change out the ones on the 681 to match the 990s? Or is it just that the clubheads themselves arent as long? Ive checked with Titleist and the lofts are the same on both models. Also, I feel that I hit both quite solidly (both clubs give feedback as to whether youre striking it well or not).

To give a background on my SS. My driver swingspeed is between 102-108mph. My 990's 7iron is good for 160-165yds, while the 8 is good for between 145-155yads. But with the 681s, the 8 iron works for my 135-145yard distances. So when Im faced with a 150ish shot, I have to hit a baby 7iron since I know the muscleback 8 iron isnt gonna get there.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

DoglegRight · April 4, 2013

I have a very similar driver swing-speed and distances with my irons. I have a few sets with S300's only because I tend to buy used clubs and S300's seem to be the most common shaft for the forged cavity back irons that I prefer. That said, I've had a set of 990's (great irons) with R300's and I currently have a set of MacGregor 1025CM's with Rifle (non-flighted) 5.5's. To me, there is little difference in distance and feel between the R300's and the 5.5's. Between the two I probably prefer the 5.5's.

IMHO the S300's are noticeably stiffer than the 5.5's. I don't think the S300's launch any lower, but I can feel the 5.5's load whereas I rarely do with the S300's. If I were to order a custom set, I probably wouldn't go with S300's but they work nonetheless.

Also, I should note Rifle 6.0's to me, are stiffer and launch noticeably lower than the S300's.

As far as your distance gap is concerned, while the 990's are not ultra forgiving, they are definitely more forgiving than blades. I would suspect that your distance gap is as much due to the difference in the irons as it is the shafts. I would stick with the 990's and the 5.5 shafts.