QUESTION: Hi Mark,

Thanks so much for responding so quickly to my previous question.  Sorry but
I’ve got one more for you re the Pro 850.

My Ping fitting indicated that I’m in the middle of an R and S flex.

I’m told to go softer for distance and firmer for control, however, ideally I would
like to have the best of both worlds.

How much should I hard step an R flex to get about half way between an R and S?

Thanks a million, Patrick

ANSWER: Hi Patrick,

Thanks for your comments.

If you want to play with an NS PRO 850GH shaft that is approximately in between an R and an S flex, you can hardstep the R flex, and it will play 1/3 of a flex stiffer than a traditional R flex, or you can softstep the S flex and it will play 2/3 of a flex stiffer than an R flex. One word of caution, this can be a bit technical, but the above applies to an iron that has a bottom of the bore to the ground measurement of 1″. This means that if the tip of the 850GH shaft is more or less than this measurement, from the ground, the flex will be affected.

Don’t listen to the nonsense about having to choose between distance and control. This is a common myth that has no merit. If you find the right shaft weight, flex and model for your body, swing and game, you will absolutely achieve both distance and control. After 20,000+ fittings of finding both distance and control for golfers, it becomes apparent that these myths do more to harm then help golfers. Regards, Mark 

QUESTION: Hi,

I play with 4 year old Taylor Made LCG with a stock graphite shaft. I love the
club head, but the shaft is too light at only 75 grams. It whips too much with
my high club head spead (it has a regular flex, I need to go to a stiff flex).
Can you recommend a steel shaft for me to use?

Also, I am 5 foot 8. Should I be cutting down the length of the standard shafts?

Thanks, Mike

ANSWER: Hi Mike,

What most likely is happening is that the lightweight shafts in your existing iron set are much too light for your your body and swing. If the overall weight is light, your body really has very little chance to control the club and return the face to where the ball is located.

In order to answer the questions of what shaft model?, what shaft weight?, what shaft flex?, and what shaft length?, it is critical that you find a fitting cart, fitting center, or the like to test and compare which weight, flex, and length allows your body, swing and game, to achieve your best performance.
There are hundreds of great shaft model, weight, flex and length options. I strongly suggest that you connect with a clubmaker, clubmaking center, or a clubfitting professional to help you answer some of these important questions. You body, swing and game will thank you. Regards, Mark

QUESTION: Hi,

I am trying to decide on the flex for a new Nippon 1030 shafted set in my new Cobra
S2 irons.  I am an 8 handicap.  The Nippons feel very nice to me - right weight and
get the ball up better.  My swing speed with a 6 iron is roughly 82mph - and I
only use 6-SW irons in my set.  I have wavered back and forth between S and R
over the years.  I hit a lower ball and need to get more height on my irons.  I
currently have KBS S soft stepped shafts in my irons, and like them better than
the DG R I had, but I still don’t really like the weight - and I think they are
slightly too stiff for me as well.  My biggest swing problem is that I get way
too fast from the top which I am trying to fix.  When I swing fast I definitely
need the S.  Overall though, I am a pretty smooth swinger.  My driver and hybrid
shaft is an S Fuji which I love.  I only had the chance to hit the 1030 R indoors
which felt very nice … based on what you know would you go S or R?  Thanks
Mike

ANSWER: Hi Mike,

Please don’t take this the wrong way- I am just giving you a bit of a fitting education- OK?

Here goes-

When thinking about shaft flex selection-

DON’T concern yourself with your handicap, swing speed, set make-up, swing issues or testing indoors for flight.

DO concern yourself with your past iron shaft choices and your trajectory, feel and performance, what you are currently using in your driver and hybrid, that your irons feel slightly too stiff, and the feel of weight.

Based on the last paragraph of information, I would recommend the 1030 R. You might even fit into a flex between an R and an S, but you will have to contact the Cobra custom department to see if they offer an inbetween flex rating. But your comments indicate that a stiff is likely too stiff.

Of course, the most definitive method of shaft slection is live, outdoor, side-by-side comparison of your different choices, and I strongly urge you to test the Cobra shaft options in an outdoor, comparative environment = Demo Day, Fitting Cart, Fitting Center, etc. Regards, Mark
 

QUESTION: Hi Mark

I currently hit Mizuno MP-60s w/ a Rifle 5.5 shaft.  I have lost some distance and
Nippon Shafts were recommended to me as a replacement option to consider rather than continuing in the Rifle series.

Are Nippon Shafts “step” models or 1 piece like Rifles ? Thanks, Mark

ANSWER: Hi Mark,

If you have lost some distance with your current shaft model- the trouble might be with the weight of the shaft, or the flex of the shaft. Since you are currently using Mizuno irons, you might consider connecting with a Mizuno center that offers their new “optimizer” kit, which has a variety of shafts and heads for instant side-by-side comparison via the use of a quick connect interchange head and shaft system.

I like this type of system, or any Opti-Fit, Select-Fit, or clubmaker fit system that allows for live, comparative, side-by-side testing so as to identify the ideal flex, length and shaft model. Using this approach gives you all of you answers.

Many of the Rifles models have a straight taper, no step shaft design. Our Nippon Shaft models have a stepped design. Both are premium shaft contruction types. Regards, Mark

QUESTION: Hi,

I am ordering some Taylor Made Burner ‘09 irons with

Project X 5.5 shafts (115g). I am concerned that I should

have ordered the standard Taylor Made Superfast shaft

(85g), so that I don’t lose the distance that I was looking

for. I would appreciate your feedback. RO

ANSWER: Hi RO,

The true answer is- choosing a lighter weight shaft model

does not always guarantee the most distance- choosing the

right weight shaft model WILL guarantee the most distance.

 

It is important to hit, test and compare to see which

shaft weight and model will allow your body and swing 

to achieve the most power. For example, which “ball” 

will allow your body to create the most arm speed, and

thus power- a lightweight plastic whiffle type ball? 

a regulation weight baseball? or a heavy, heavy stone

ball? The stone ball will be too heavy for our body

to gain any measure of arm speed. The plastic ball 

will be so light, our body cannot sense and feel how

to engage our large muscles and create top arm 

speed. However, the baseball, being light enough to 

throw fast, but heavy enough to integrate into our 

body system, will produce the most power of the three

options.

 
The only definitive method of learning which shaft
is too heavy, which is too light, and which is just
right, is to hit, test and compare. Regards, Mark

QUESTION: Hello,

After going over useful information in your website, I chose NS Pro 950 regular
flex for a new set of irons. I am comfortable with this shaft as there seems to
be no perceptible difference in weight among the long, mid and short irons.
Perhaps this is what is meant by constant weight system?

I have two other points to raise if I may.

(1) Would the constant weight system also apply to hybrids re-shafted with NS
Pro 8950 even if this shaft is slightly stiffer?

(2) Since you observed that many prefer a heavier shaft for their wedges, would
the NS Pro 970 regular flex be a good complement for the NS Pro 950? Nippon
wedge VW105?

Thank you and more power to Shaftology. DQ

 
ANSWER: Hi DQ,

Thanks for the good vibes- and more power to you and your golf game.

1) Yes, shaft models that are ‘constant weight’, mean that each shaft weighs the same amount. There are other shaft model systems that are ascending weight- meaning the shafts get heavier as the clubs get shorter, or descending weight, meaning the shaft weights get lighter as the clubs get shorter, but by far, the most popular system is constant weight.

Regarding your questions about hybrids, most golfers find that they need a shaft weight that is similar or lighter, and a flex that is similar or stiffer, compared to the shaft weight and flex in their existing iron shafts. In general, if a golfer swings their iron and hybrids with the same rhythm and pace, they should choose the same flex. If a golfer swings a hybrid club with more force and more aggression, then a bit stiffer flex will do just fine.

Regarding the weight of the NS PRO 8950GH, as compared to the 950GH, they are similar, with the 8950GH being a couple of grams heavier. However, in general, if a golfer installed the NS PRO 8950GH in their hybrids, and the NS PRO 950GH in their irons, these are close enough to be called ‘constant weight’. Yet, I still would recommend having the NS PRO 950GH installed in your hybrids to create the exact same mojo.

2) Regarding your wedge question, I would recommend the NS PRO WV 105 as the best match to your irons. If you are looking for a lower ball flight with you wedge clubs, then you might consider the NS PRO 970 shaft that is available in Titleist clubs.

Regards, Mark 

QUESTION: Mark,

I have a set of Callaway prototype irons with the proprietary shafts
by Nippon- NS PRO 1100GH, (the band says uniflex). I am told these shafts weigh 110
grams and I want to put a similar shaft in my wedges. Which Nippon Shaft do
you recommend?

I have always used S300 shafts if that makes any difference…… Thank you, Lex
ANSWER: Hi Lex,

I would go with our latest series of wedge models- and in your specific case, I would recommend the NS PRO WV 125 wedge shafts. The weight, flex and balance would be a good match to your Callaway iron set, and not too much of a conflict from your previous wedge shaft model.

The WV 125 is available through any of our Authorized Installation Centers, (www.shaftology.com), or for direct purchase via Golfsmith, Swing Science or Leaderboard Golf. Regards, Mark

QUESTION: Hi,

I am going to reshaft my irons and was wondering if you could tell me what is
the difference between the 950GH and the V90 Nippon shafts. Also, Golfsmith is
selling a model 8950GH which I understand is heavier and stiffer then the 950GH. 
Is this correct? Thanks, Ken

ANSWER: Hi Ken,

All 3 of these models are from our award-winning 950 family, made from the same propietary NSGS8655V base material, and subject to our specialized heat treatment processes.

The V90 model is a couple of grams lighter and produces a higher ball flight, versus the NS PRO 950GH. The V90 has won the first two events on the LPGA Tour this year.

The NS PRO 8950GH is a couple of grams heavier, and plays half a flex stiffer, versus the NS PRO 950GH. The 8950GH is available in lengths of 39.0″ to 35.5″, (3 to PW), in .370 parallel and .355 taper tip diameters, in flexes of ‘A’ (Senior), ’R’ (Regular), and ‘S’ (Stiff), and can be purchased direct from Golfsmith, Swing Science, and Leaderboard Golf.

Regards, Mark 

QUESTION: Good Afternoon,

I am looking at either the NS Pro 850 or NS Pro 950 in a set of new Ping irons. The Ping fitting has me +1 inch long in an R flex. My questions is:  ith my shafts at +1 should I hard step the shaft to maintain an R flex, or will the shaft play true to flex even at one inch longer than standard?

Thanks so much, Patrick
ANSWER: Hi Patrick,

Golfers and clubmakers debate this idea all of the time, and it never seems that any conclusion is reached. However, I firmly believe that you should not adjust the flex to account for a longer length. Leave the shaft flex as is and it will play just fine.

Over the years we have always built our fitting test clubs, whether a standard length or a longer length, using the same raw flex sku, and have had great success. Regards, Mark

QUESTION: Hi,

I am about to tip trim some Aldila Gamer shafts for a set of irons.The trim
charts I found state that you should take off 1/2″ from the three iron down to
the wedges.That would make the pitching wedge 4″ on the tip trim.Looking at
Golfworks trim chart(IR21),The wedges are trimmed to 3-1/2″.Could you please
give me some input on this matter. Thanks!! Anthony

 
ANSWER: Hi Anthony,

I wouldn’t get too concerned over a 3 1/2″ tip trim versus a 4″ tip trim. The actual playing difference is slight. My only suggestion is if you like your wedge to have a bit more feel via a softer shaft flex, tip trim your wedge shaft at 3 1/2″. If you like your wedge to be stiffer than your #9 iron, go ahead and tip trim your wedge shaft to 4″. Regards, Mark