QUESTION: Dear Sirs,

I am interested in ordering a set of PING irons with Nippon Pro 950 steel shafts.

Based on a smooth tempo and a 6-iron carry distance of 155-160 yds., what flex would you recommend - RS or S?

Thanks and best regards, Ed

 

ANSWER: Hi Ed,

You are thinking about two premium products, Ping irons and Nippon Shaft models. The hard part is to find the right “dimension” of length, lie, shaft, flex, weight, geometry, etc. for your new set.

If you read through a few of my posts on this subject in this Q&A section, you will learn what I have learned after 20,000+ fitting sessions- there is no mathematical formula that can quantify the interaction between a golfer and a golf shaft in motion. Despite the misinformation that whirls around the internet forums and travels the golf shops, company brochures and websites all over our golf community- mathematical formulas still have no relevance in selecting the shaft for your new set of Ping irons.

You will have a much better chance of the optimum shaft selection if you take step number one and ERASE this idea of some magical shaft formula from your brain.

Next- if you want to make a reasonable shaft flex choice- choose a flex that you have generally have had success with in the past. This will yield much better results and more consistent contact and ball flight than a mathematical chart.

Finally- if you want to achieve high-end, efficient shaft performance, you will need to embark on a journey of live, interactive testing of shaft comparison, flex comparison, length comparison and connecting with a skilled, competent clubfitter. This is a lot of work and costs more and might even be a bit uncomfortable- but, afterwards the game is so much easier. All that swing adjusting and modifying and conforming is left behind and you are left with your best, most natural, most powerful swing.

Best regards, Mark

QUESTION: How about a frequency for say a std length, PING s58 6 iron in 950GH X-flex? Mike

ANSWER: Mike,

I imagine that you are asking about a shaft butt frequency measurement…, which is a very narrow view of the total playability of the shaft model. At the very minimum, by asking about a butt frequency rating, you are dismissing the value of the tip and mid geometry of a shaft, which is certainly just as important in the category of rating a shaft by flex. I believe that you are asking for a one-dimensional answer in your search to find the best performing shaft, but a single butt frequency number will not actually help you.

I know that you can easily propose this question to any of the golf forums on the net and you will receive a variety of responses from owners of a butt frequency machine. The variations are a result of the different measurement methodologies that exist with respect to the clamping method, the base of the machine, the grip material/or lack of grip, the headweight, the bore depth of the hosel, the definition of standard length?, swingweight, etc.

Finally, if you followed a system of butt frequency equalization, like the PCS system of equalizing the measurement variances of different machines, and you were able to attain an equalized rating of say 5.0 or 6.2 or 7.1., these numbers have no validity unless compared to shafts of like geometries. For example, it is possible to build our 1150GH shaft, and our 750GH shaft and our Blue Superpeening shaft model all to have the SAME butt frequency measurement on a given machine, yet the actual playing flex will be quite DIFFERENT. 

How then is a golfer to know how to compare shafts? The scientists use things like the below EI curve chart. These measure the general bending properties of a shaft along its complete length. Regular golfers like ourselves use a much more accurate method- we use interactive live testing. I am sure that you would like a magic answer to your question to help you find the right shaft, but I am giving you the real news, that no such chart exists among informed minds. Best regards and keep asking questions and learning about your equipment choices. Mark

 

QUESTION:

What is the swing speed range or 6 iron carry distance recomended for the 950GH
x flex shaft?

Thanks, Mike

ANSWER: Hi Mike,

The optimum golfer for a 6 iron shafted with a 950GH X flex is the golfer who is able to sense and interact with the shaft weight and flex so as to consistently strike the face in the center, with a consistent trajectory, and achieve optimum carry. This methodology isn’t as specific as a swing speed number, however it is more accurate and is the only methodology used by the world’s top players and how all of us average players judge if a set performs optimally.

After conducting over 20,000+ interactive fitting sessions, it has proven difficult to pin down a swing speed range because golfers with a wide degree of variation of swing speeds have fit into the same shaft model, weight and flex.

I urge you to conduct your own live testing through the use of a fitting event, demo day, fitting cart, or by connecting with one of our installation centers. Or… you could always consult our magic flex chart by looking at the Q&A subject categories.

Best regards, Mark

QUESTION: Hi Mark,

My swing speed is around 99 mph on most days with my favorite driver, age= 59, good shape, I am capable of breaking 90 on a good day, I like to go to movies when I am not playing golf, and also read. I own two dogs, have been known to frequent garage sales- as I collect old records, my wife is an excellent cook, and I used to live in Pasaic NJ, but now reside in Pheonix, AZ.

Based on your magic shaft flex chart that I have read so much about- What shaft flex am I? Waiting anxiously, Charlie

 

 ANSWER: Hi Charlie,

Thanks for all the empirical data. Based on our newly developed magical flex chart- you are clearly a shaft flex that is kind of estimated at a thoeretical undetermined.

Best regards, Mark 

QUESTION: Looking to order a set of clubs overseas and do not have a Nippon Shaft fitter nearby. I have had the 950GH in R and have not really liked the distance. I have had the 1050s in R and they were too soft for me. I am looking at the 1150s and am
wondering if the S would be too stiff or if I should soft step. I am present
playing standard Rifle flighted in the 5.0 flex which is a Regular plus. Thanks
for your help. Bob

ANSWER: Bob, If the lighter models have not performed well for you…, it sounds like a heavier shaft model is the right direction to pursue.  If we were working in a fitting session, I would have you hit several different shaft models in terms of weight, flex and length. These are the dominant variables, and can only be determined “in motion”. Any other theoretical method will only achieve theoretical results.

Some of the traditional weight Nippon Shaft models include the NS PRO 1150GH Tour, the NS PRO Superpeening Orange, and the NS PRO Superpeening Blue, which weigh in at 115, 120, and 125 grams respectively.

Regarding the optimal flex for you- there is no magical chart to determine optimal shaft flex. If you are trying to fit your needs on your own, I would try one of our heavier models and choose a flex that you have had success with in the past.

Don’t forget that all the specifications in a set matters. The wrong head, the wrong installation or the wrong fit can derail your chances for optimal performance. 
Best regards, Mark