Iron Shaft Fitting - Straighter Shots w/ Stiffer Shafts

Unfollow Thread

By Jeff E

  • 0 Likes
  • 13 Replies
  1. Jeff E

    Jeff E

    I have been testing multiple iron shafts over the past two months, and have noticed straighter shots (less curvature) when hitting stiffer shafts. In particular, my 6I SS is between 88-93 and normally averages around 90mph. I like the Project X flighted line, so, I've tested that the most. 5.5, way too much curve. 6.0 was solid and supprisingly (to me) 6.5 also very straight....and long! I have a quick tempo and do not "feather" shots, I go after it, even when I call myself hitting it less agressive. I dont overswing though, its short of parallel on the backswing. I am a fairly athletic and flexable guy, 6 ft, 205. Anyway, my question for those who are fitters or who play the 6.0 or 6.5 flighted, would you generally fit someone to the 6.5 flighted with this swing speed, or 6.0? Thanks.
  2. Burrell D

    Burrell D
    Burlington, VT

    Jeff, sounds like the 6.5 may be your best bet! The following is based on your 6 iron. Keep in mind that the 6.5 may tend to have a slightly lower trajectory than the 6.0. This is due to the flex of the shaft. Based upon your SS I would take a good look at the following so that you are able to control (work the ball and make it stop) the golf ball and also still maintain your distance control. - Take a good look at your launch angle - a good place to start would be 14-16.5 degrees. This would put you in the middle of the pack in terms of launch angle and this is good. - Make sure that the back spin that you are getting is somewhere between 5850 and 6550. This should give you good control going into the greens! Try the 6.0 and 6.5 (side by side) and make sure that they react, feel, and perform the way that you want! Dave Burrell, PGA (Certified Titleist Club Fitter and 2011 PGA Teaching Professional of the Year (Vermont Chapter))
  3. Jeff E

    Jeff E

    My spin was around 5,000 rpms....but, my launch was good. Landing decent was around 46......maybe the 6.0 would yield better numbers. Back to the testing grounds I guess.
  4. Burrell D

    Burrell D
    Burlington, VT

    Jeff, thanks for the additional information. Based on this information, it might be a good idea to see if we can increase your rpms. What I would like to suggest is to try adding the following shafts to your 6.0 and 6.5 shafts. Those shafts would be the Project X Steel, Rifle Steel, and the Project X Flighted. As you go from the Project X Steel to the Rifle Steel to the Project X Flighted - you should see increase spin (rpms) and a slight increase in the launch angle. If possible, test all 5 shafts together and focus on the launch angle, rpms, and carry distance of your shots. This should give you a better feel as to what will and will not work for you. Dave
  5. Ariff T

    Ariff T

    Burrell D !!! I need your help . i dont know what shaft fits me !!! I dont know whether project X 6.0 suits me . I need your opinion !!! Thanks .

  6. Quentin O

    Quentin O

    Swing speed has nothing to do with matching you to the appropriate shaft.  NOTHING.  Matching you to an appropriate shaft is entirely, 100%, about how much you load (bend) the shaft.  Bending the shaft is 100% independent of swing speed.  You can find old men at any golf course who bend the shaft more than some tour professionals.  The reasons for this vary, but tend to do with tempo and hand action.  You never really know what someone's load is until they get on a computer with a club that can measure load.  Sadly, retail outfits do not use this equipment, instead they continue to perpetuate the ignorance and put people in ill fitting shafts.  Sounds like you've done some trial and error so you're probably finding the right shaft, most folks will not.

    The result is millions of golfers playing shafts that don't match their game.  The game is hard enough with equipment that fits you, but when your flex doesn't match you, your shot dispersion is going to be all over the place, even with a single digit handicap.  Better golfers will tend to make unconscious adjustments.  I was playing shafts that were far too flexible for me.  Turns out I had been backing off for years because if I went after them I'd get a lot of curve.  Once I got fit and was in the new shafts, I could go after them and the ball flew straight.

    It's a really sad state of affairs in the industry with proven physics available for everyone to use, but wives tales and industry tradition is often hard to change.

  7. Thomas C

    Thomas C
    Columbia, SC

    Military

    Quentin - I have to agree with you. I was always buying "off the rack" stiff shafts based on my swing speed. I finally went to a proper fitting at Augusta CC and walked out with a KBS tour reg flex in my irons. I was surprised when I looked at the winning combination based on feel and performance but the pro (Gary) told me that even though my SS is 90+ with a 6 iron,  I don't "load" the club at transition. I've never been more satisfied with a set of clubs than these 712 AP2s.

  8. Rob E

    Rob E

    I am echoing your comments I have the same build, 6'3", 235lbs , athletic and I am looking at the project x flighted 6.5 because I hit them so effortlessly on the simulator. I would have never thought of hitting that stiff a shaft. But I hit it very consistent and very well and have gone back to the store and simulator multiple times because I cannot believe it. I guess that is why I am replying to you. I have experienced a great feel, trajectory and distance with the project x flighted 6.5 shaft. They didn't have any irons with flighted 6.0 to compare with so I cannot comment on moving up or down on the stiffness chain. My swing speed has been measured between stiff and x stiff but I do like to "feel" the shot. I am going to try the flighted 6.5. worse case is I am wrong and back to the simulator.
  9. Burrell D

    Burrell D
    Burlington, VT

    Jeff, based on the information, I would go with the 6.5. Dave
  10. Joseph P

    Joseph P
    chicago, IL

    I have the same issues. I have a 90mph swing speed with my driver (I forget my iron swing speed?) I'm 47 and always played DG S300s. I've lost some speed, but I still load the club well. He fitted me with the KBS tour in a stiff, which is lighter. It gave me a higher launch and added 15 yards to my irons. Having always fit myself I just hit what everybody hit not knowing the difference.

  11. Burrell D

    Burrell D
    Burlington, VT

    Joe, sounds like a good match and the reason I say this is as follows: - DG S300 shafts tend to be a heavy shaft with a low launch angle - KBS Tour shafts are lighter and provide a mid launch angle with low-mid spin being applied to the golf ball. Just the increase in the launch angle (with the KBS Tour shaft) could play a part in your 15 yards - assuming that the launch angle with your DG300 was too low One final thought make sure: - The lie angle and length is set up for your golf swing - Make sure that the grips are the correct size for you hands Dave
  12. Rob M

    Rob M
    Bountiful, UT

    Burrell, I have experience with both DG S300 and KBS tour. Current gaming the AP2/714 irons with DG S300 assuming I could pull the ball flight a little lower which hasn't happened. A local pro who plays Titleist suggested I try the S400. Would an S400 lower the ball flight and second, I'm between a Stiff and Reg...not getting any younger but working on fitness too. I always error on the stiff side. What is best for someone that's on the fence between stiff and reg. KBS tour flights my ball too high so I'm thinking on C-taper lite as well...any insight on that is much appreciated. FYI, I live in a mountainous area with wind at times so that's why I'm interested on flighting the ball lower. Thanks
  13. Burrell D

    Burrell D
    Burlington, VT

    Rob, based on the information that you have provided, you may want to consider a KBS C-Taper shaft, that has a flex of R+! - this will provide you with the ability to hit lower trajectory and more penetrating shots - the R+ shaft is between a Regular and Still Flex and weights 115 grams, so this should address your concern about being between a Regular and Stiff shaft. Dave
  14. Rob M

    Rob M
    Bountiful, UT

    Thanks Burrell, that sounds like a great idea. Two years ago I played with MP59s KBS tours and really liked the shaft especially how smooth it felt so I suspect the C-taper would for the most part feel the same. I'll toss an R+ is a club and check it out.

Please login to post a comment.

Sign In

Haven't registered for Team Titleist yet?

Sign Up

Find a golf store near me