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Shaft Fitting

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 04:58:32 +0000

I was fitted for NS PRO 950 R, for my new Titleist AP-1 irons, however they put me into NS PRO 970 R. Are these two shafts the same or significantly different in terms if shaft performance? Thank You.
Richard, Cerritos, California, USA

Richard,

The shafts are not all that similar. I would question why you were fitted one way and the clubs ordered another.

Regards,

Jeff

Shaft Fitting

Tue, 18 May 2010 22:02:38 +0000

Hello, I am currently playing Ping S59’s with Hogan Apex 4 shafts (older versions-circa 1992). The original zz65 shafts in them were bent at hosel. Probably why I got them so cheap. Anyway I put the Apex 4 shafts in them and they hit the ball very straight, I have no problem with pull or pushes at all, but I have a distance problem with these shafts. About 10 yards shorter than all of the other irons I have ever played. What would be a good recommendation replacement shaft to gain my distance back with out spraying them all over the place if I went with a regular shaft? I like the straightness of the Apex 4’s but not the distance. Maybe KB’s, Nippons, Also like the S59 heads, would like to stick with them if I can find a shaft to fit just right for my swing speed (83 to 92 mph). Thanks
Shay, Jayess, Mississippi, USA

Shay,

Without seeing you swing, it is impossible to say. But, I can say, many players really like the feel and flight of the KB shafts. Find a fitter who has demos of all of the shafts you seem interested in and test them out. Look for a Ping fitting van demo near you as well as they will have screw on shafts that will help you decide as well.

Regards,

Jeff

Increasing Driver Shot Trajectory

Sat, 01 May 2010 01:24:51 +0000

I currently hit a 10* driver with a UST Proforce 65 shaft with a mid bend point. My shot trajectory is too low. I am considering building a Snake Eyes 10.5 or 11.5 driver. Should I build the 11.5 with the same shaft, or the 10.5 with the Proforce 65 High Launch shaft (with low bend point)? Your comments?
Andrew, Naperville, Illinois, USA

Andrew,

Without knowing your launch/spin numbers, it’s hard to say. But, what I can say, is that if ball flight is too low, look to loft first as a solution. The club loft will have more influence on trajectory than will shaft. Go to the 11.5 and see what happens.

Regards,

Jeff

Mizuno Iron Length

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 15:17:34 +0000

Hi. I have a set of Mizuno MX-25 irons. I am 6′ 1″ tall. Can you tell me what extra length i need on these irons? Regards.
Steven, Durham, England

Steven

Go to a fitter and test hit different clubs to be sure. That said, probably in the area of one half inch long will be close.

Regards,

Jeff

Titleist Driver Fitting

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:14:42 +0000

I just received a Titleist 909 D2 driver for Christmas and it has a Voodoo S shaft. I normally use a R shaft. I also have a low launch angle. This driver has a 10.5 degree loft. What would be a better option for me. Thanks.
Randy, Price, Utah, USA

Randy,

The only way to know for sure is to hit on a launch monitor. That said, loft is a more key determinant of ball flight than shaft, but shaft has a lot to do with spin and feel. If it’s new and unhit, hopefully wherever it was purchased will have a monitor and demos that will allow you to know for sure if it’s right for you.

Sorry not to be of more definitive help.

Regards,

Jeff

Shaft Fitting

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:10:03 +0000

I’m 6′2″ - what type of shaft is best for me - 230lbs. “swings hard at it” - probably about a 7 handicap (home course) par 71.
Fred, Pittsburg, California, USA

Fred,

Without seeing you swing and with no launch monitor data, it’s tough to say, but most faster swinging players are best fit with stiffer, lower launching, heavier shafts.

Again, with no data, it’s just a hypothesis…

Regards,

Jeff

Lowering Iron Ball Flight

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:24:29 +0000

Hi, I ave been playing Mizuno MP60 irons with True Temper Dynamic Gold S300 shafts for last 3 years - absolutely the best irons for me that I have either hit or owned and have helped get me down from a 12 to 6 handicap in the time I have had them. However, as the better, consistent ball striking has improved, so has the height of the flight of the ball - and particularly on mid-short irons I now get a detrimental ballooning with loss of distance (6 iron 160-165 yards). I had a pro check out my swing - all fine and consistently 100-102 mph swing speed. I want to keep my Mizuno irons and keep the ball down a bit so have a couple of options to try - 1) have loft angles bent stronger or 2) try different shafts possibly S400’s or Project X 6.0’s. Your view or suggestions are most welcome. Thanks.
Darren, Leeds, United Kingdom

Darren,

The S400’s won’t do anything different than the S300’s. You might consider hard stepping the shafts for a bit lower ball flight. You can bend the lofts, but be aware of distance gaps when you do that. I really doubt you’ll see much difference between the Project X shats and the Dynamic Gold shafts. You might look at KBS steel shafts as an option. A good many tour pros are going that route and they tend to flatten out the shots well.

Regards,

Jeff

Driver Fitting

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 16:32:41 +0000

Guys, I’m a 5-6 handicap, smooth swinger, SS approx. 95-100…. looking for more distance off the tee. I was carrying a 45″ stock Launcher (2005) 240-250′ish depending on conditions. This is shorter than I was in recent years. I’m was hoping to take advantage of new technology and a local fitter put a Fuji Speeder 553 shaft in (58g) at 56″ and I lost 20+ yards….and can’t control it. We cut it to 45″ and distance improved slightly, but still way too short and ball flight is way too high. (10.5) I’ve spent 2 weeks screwing around with other shafts and demoing dozens of clubs. I’d be happy to get back to where I was….let alone get longer. I’ve always hit stock “firm” shafts in my driver….but feel there must be better, longer shaft/head combinations out there….that can give me some more distance. I think I need a heavier, stiffer shaft….but my swing speed doesn’t indicate that. I don’t load the shaft or release late, as well as I . Any suggestions? Thanks.
Scott, Laguna Niguel, California, USA

Scott,

I would find a fitter with a TrackMan or a Zelocity launch monitor who can put actual launch/spin numbers together with your swing. This is the only accurate way to determine for sure what shaft/loft/head CG is correct for you. Without knowing these numbers, it is impossible to recommend anything with any degree of reliability…

Regards,

Jeff

Shaft Selection

Sat, 11 Apr 2009 16:03:18 +0000

I am in the process of shafting a set of fairway woods and also some hybrids. The guy says that he measured 35″ wrist to floor, he is left-handed, says he cannot use regular irons and wants these heads to match a 9, SW & PW. Says he has a slice problem, can you recommend a steel shaft that would compliment these club heads. I shaft clubs for a hobby, also regrip them but have never had a situation like this. Thanks.
Tom, St. Joseph, Missouri, USA

Tom,

I really can’t recommend a shaft without knowing specifically what type of heads he is using and even more importantly his swing characteristics. That said, as he cannot use “normal” irons, he probably has trouble getting the ball in the air. If that’s the case, True Temper Dynalite Gold is a good steel iron choice.

Regards,

Jeff

Shaft Fitting

Sat, 11 Apr 2009 16:03:18 +0000

I recently purchased a set of Ping Eye 2 irons that have ZZ Lite shafts in stiff flex. I am getting a high ball flight and seem to have lost some distance. I would like to lower my ball flight to a medium flight and get that distance back which I estimate at, at least a club length. I know you will suggest True Temper Dynamic Gold S300, I know this will lower my ball flight but will it recover that lost distance. I am hitting my woods the same distance as last year so I can’t attribute the loss to age (54). LOL
Len, Buffalo, New York, USA

Len,

Try the True Temper Dynamic Gold SL shaft. These will lower ball flight without the heavier weight of the standard Dynamic Gold.

Regards,

Jeff