QUESTION: Hi,

I have recently been fitted on Trackman, and a flex of 4.8, on the lower side of regular (DG) has been recommended.  My five iron swing speed is 78mph and I currently play TT 105 gram shafts.  My fitter says I should not go any higher and in fact lower is better.

I tried the Mizuno tool, and far down the list, it said I could play 1050s, but I think there might be better alternatives?  I guess i have a smooth swing and transition but am aggressive through the hitting area.  Missed shots are generally thin, and I have about 3 degrees forward lean at impact.

I will be changing to Japanese irons, probaly Miura or RC.

Can you help me out or give me some direction? Bruce
 

ANSWER: Hi Bruce,

If you read just a few of my replies, it quickly becomes apparent that my fitting philosophy is more about actual performance, versus predictive guess-timation.

Trackman, the Mizuno Shaft Optimizer, and Butt Frequency numbers are all great tools to utilize in this fitting discussion, but eventually, your optimal equipment should be selected based on the feel of your swing and the efficiency of your flight.

Every time my fingers hit the keyboard in responding to golfer’s questions,  my goal is to communicate that you will only be successful in choosing equipment if you understand the following statement-

“Choose equipment to optimize the feel of your swing, and the efficiency of your flight, WITHOUT the need to compensate.”

This means understanding that optimal equipment helps your body, swing and game perform naturally, powerfully, and efficiently. If a set is the right weight, length, flex, sole, kick-point, etc., then the body, swing and equipment work together in a natural flow of balance and power. If the set is off in any of these areas, compensations are required, which puts stress on this equation.

Thus, sometimes our bodies are able to make the needed adjustments, and we have a good result. But other times, we are not able to make the correction, and the result is a thin shot…

My recommendation is to begin to leave behind the less than perfect “predictive” ideas of swing transition and shaft lean, and instead, think in terms of the following-

From now on, everytime you talk to a fitter, or test a certain shaft, or club, or loft, etc., think in terms of the feel and the flight that test sample produces.

For example:

Did that shaft/head combination feel like it was in sync with my body and that I could make consistent contact?

Is the flight I am achieving too low, too high, or just right?

Do I feel like I have to rush or speed up with a given shaft flex? Or become more deliberate or slower than my natural swing ?

Regarding your specific situation-

1) Does your current shaft feel too heavy, too light, or about right? Compare your shaft weight to some of our model specifcations at www.nipponshaft.com. Also, is the flight achieved with your set ideal?

2) During your Trackman session, possibly the data showed that a shaft flex, stiffer than the suggested rating, yielded less ball speed, or less carry, which often is the result of a shaft model that is too stiff. This would also match up with a body/swing feeling that a given shaft feels “hard” and is not giving much help.

3) Finally, regarding a head model, while Miura and RC, are of high quality, it is quite important to also find if the performance is right for your body, swing and game. Testing and comparison of models gives you the best chance of learning if a given head design, weight, sole, etc., work for you.

Best regards, Mark

QUESTION: Hi Mark-
I’ve got Project X 6.0 shafts currently in my Miura irons…does Nippon offer a
shaft that I should consider? Bob

 
ANSWER: Hi Bob,

The answer is Yes, of course.

But, which shaft might perform well for you, depends on your needs.

If your game needs a lower flight, heavier shaft model, you might consider our N.S. Pro Superpeening BLUE.

If you swing requires a lighter, mid flight model, I would test the N.S. Pro 1150GH Tour

If your body needs the superior feel and ultralight weight of our award-winning N.S. Pro 950GH series, you must take a look at this model. It is available in a huge variety of lengths, flexes, and tip diameters to suit your needs.

For more information on availability, pricing, fittings services, and installation options, please go to www.shaftology.com, and contact any of our Authorized Installation Centers.

For specification information on many of our N.S. Pro models, please go to www.nipponshaft.com.

Best regards, Mark

Hi
QUESTION: Hi,

I was recently fitted with the 1050gh ‘S’ model with Callaway Diablo forged
irons. Loved the way they performed.  I’m also considering Cobra S forged irons
and see that they have NS Pro 1130 tour shafts. Would this shaft give me a
similar performance? Thanks, AC
ANSWER: Hi AC,

One of the goals of this Fitting Q&A is to educate golfers that DIFFERENT shaft models will ABSOLUTELY give golfer’s bodies and swings DIFFERENT information. Thus, the feel and the ability to swing a given club optinmally will be…, DIFFERENT. Also, the flight will be…, DIFFERENT. This means that with two DIFFERENT shaft models, a given golfer will find one that is easier to swing in the most natural, powerful and efficient manner, and achieve optimal flight, without the need to make adjustments.

These specific models are DIFFERENT enough, that you should expect to perform better with one versus the other. I would classify the 1050 as lightweight, with a mid/hi launch, and the 1130 Cobra Shaft model, as a midweight, with a mid launch. Of course, you can never separate the head and installation specifications, which have a big effect on performance.

As in all my emails, the best advice I can give, if possible, is to hit these 2 models side by side and compare which model yields the most efficient strike, the easiest to make contact, the best flight, etc.

Best regards, Mark

QUESTION: Hello,

I have Mizuno MX1000 graphite irons with .370 diameter hosel, which come in at an
approximate swing weight of D2.  Their MX heads for graphite shafts are made 10
grams heavier than their MX1000 heads for 355 diameter steel shafts. 

If I installed your 370 diameter NS Pro 850 GH parallel tip steel shafts in these
heads made for graphite shafts, since they are 10 grams heavier I figure the
swing weight will go from D2 to approximately D6 to D7.  What are your thoughts
on this?  Can your 850’s handle this swing weight or would the 950’s be better
which would add approximately 1 more swing weight.  Based on assumption that 1
swing weight equals 2 grams
Thanks, Frank

ANSWER: Frank,

Are you trying to achieve a certain swingweight? Or are you trying to achieve a certain performance?

A club’s swingweight is certainly dependent upon the head weight, but also the weight and balance of a given shaft. Other factor’s include the club length, lie angle, and grip weight. The actual swingweight is thus dependent upon the variability of these factors. So I question if your swingweight formula will actually equal D6 or D-7. It may be less, or it may be more.

The question of whether a shaft model will perform with a much heavier swing weight depends greatly upon the golfer’s swing and feel, and how these above factors interact with the golfer. Most golfers will feel that a swingweight in the D-6  to D-7 range, with the N.S. Pro 850GH model, will feel awkward and out of balance, and I would never recommend this type of weight, but yet, I have seen most every odd setup, and there is most every combination out there that feels good to someone.

Nevertheless, I prefer to start at the beginning of things, by working with a golfer to find the combination of head, shaft and weight that performs best for that golfer, and then building the club to achieve those specifications. Instead of trying to find a set of shafts that might work reasonably well for a given set of heads, I much prefer to find a set of shafts that works optimally for that golfer.

Best regards, Mark

QUESTION: Hi,

I have Rifle Lite 6.0 shafts in my irons, but will need to re-shaft the set
soon. The Rifle Lite shaft is out of production. I am looking at your shafts as
a quality product. I carry my irons the following distances…What shaft in your
range of products do you think best matches my present set of irons?

GW=100-115 yards
PW=118-125 yards
9i= 128-140 yards
8i=145-158 yards
7i= 155-168 yards
6i= 168-177 yards
5i= 178-188 yards
4i= 190-203 yards. My driver speed is 110 MPH. My handicap is 4.0. I am 57 years
young. I swing pretty herd at the ball. I am looking for a shaft that is lighter
than what I am swinging now in the Rifle Lite shafts, although I don’t know the
weight of the Rifle Lite shafts.  I like a really stiff shaft because my
preference is to have a tight dispersion of my iron shots. I don’t want the
shafts so light they feel too different. What are your suggestions? Paul

ANSWER: Hi Paul,

You are really asking a question that can only be answered through an experiential interaction. This means- it is incumbent upon you to feel the weight, length, and flex on your body and swing, and to see the flight that a given shaft model yields, by testing and comparing shaft models in a live setting. Any guess or estimate will never give you a clear picture of your optimal shaft needs. After performing thousands of fitting assessments, I have learned that there is no expert or formula that is capable of adequately expressing the feel, flight and turf contact that a golfer uniquely experiences. Eventhough these recommendations are generated literally millions of times each year, via the internet, over the phone, or at an indoor golf shop, the reality remains that a golfer can only be fitted via a live, comparative, experiential assessment. 

I know that finding a clubmaking facillity or test center that provides what I am suggesting, can be difficult, but it is achievable. I would start at our Authorized Installation Centers network. Go to www.shaftology.com and click on the CENTER Locator Link, and contact a few of our centers to inquire as to the fitting services offered. There are also thousands of locations that offer comparison of different models and flexes via Titleist, Callaway, Mizuno, Taylor Made, Ping, and Tour Edge center.

Regarding your specific question of some potential models that might work for you- I would consider our N.S. Pro 1150GH Tour or 1050GH iron models. Both of these are available in Stiff or Extra-Stiff flexes, or in any sub-flex between S and X, in parallel and taper tip diameters, and in lengths of 40.0″ to 35.0″.

For a list of our shaft dimensions, please visit www.nipponshaft.com. Best regards, Mark

QUESTION: Hi Mark,
I use the 1150GH Tour in my irons and the WV125 in my most lofted wedges.  The
combination is fine and I am not looking to change.  However, it seems that
Titleist Vokey recommend a lighter, rather than slightly heavier shaft in their
wedges than in the irons.  This seems at variance to your findings.  I am
interested in your comments.    Regards, Kevin
ANSWER: Hi Kevin,

Thanks for your note. 

Most stronger players will typically use the same shaft model, in their wedge clubs, as in their irons. These shafts are typically heavier, stronger shafts. But stronger players have enough power to engage both their irons and wedges for the best combination of distance and control.

However, many average players, using lighter shafts in their iron clubs, do so in the interest of achieving better speed, ease of swing, and better flight. However, these golfers often make the mistake of  using the same shaft model in their wedges.  In our wedge clubs we require feel, stability, and a controlled flight.  Lighter shafts in the wedge clubs often leads to less control of the clubhead, higher flight, and a swing that is required to adjust and compensate for the ill-suited, light wedge shafts. 

To solve these issues, Nippon Shaft engineers developed the WV series of wedge shaft models for the purpose of allowing each golfer type, to match the shafts in their wedge heads to suit their control and flight needs. For any golfer that is using a lighter shaft model in their iron clubs, they will gain feel, balance, and flight control by installing a wedge shaft model that matches their short game needs.

As a general selection guide for wedge clubs, here is some info based on the many fitting assessments I have conducted;

Current Iron Shaft Model - 750, 850, 950  Recommended Wedge Shaft Model - N.S. Pro WV105

Current Iron Shaft Model - 950, 999, 1050 Recommended Wedge Shaft Model - N.S. Pro WV115

Current Iron Shaft Model - 1150, Orange, Recommended Wedge Shaft Model - N.S. Pro WV 125

 

Regarding your comment that the Titleist Vokey wedges are offered and/or promoted in lighter shaft weights than their iron counterparts is something that I have never encountered. In North America, the standard shaft model sold in the Vokey wedges are the same weight as the WV125, which is equal to a gram weight, in the trimmed playing length, of 115 to 120 grams. While the Titleist offers their wedges in dozens of custom shaft weights, models and flexes, I have never heard of any major manufacturer promoting their wedge shafts to play lighter versus their iron shafts. 

Best regards, Mark

QUESTION: Hi,

I have a set of Ping i15 irons with stiff graphite shafts. I came from an i5 Ping steel iron shaft and found them too stiff.

I switched to the graphite, looking for a little more distance, and found them too soft.

I am a 5 handicap, with a smooth swing, age 62, and 6 feet, 210 lbs. I am thinking of trying a Project X or Rifle shaft, 5.0.

Any suggestions? Help! PLB

ANSWER: Hello PLB,

Your best chance of finding equipment that is right for you begins with using some practical common sense.

Leave behind the notions of age, handicap, and body size as criteria for optimal shaft selection.

There are golfers in their 60’s that play like Tom Watson and Hale Irwin, and their are sixty year old golfers who can barely hit the ball a hundred yards. There are 5 handicap players who smash the ball into the heavens, and others who are short hitting, low flight, scrambling 5 handicappers. How could these criteria ever convey any meaning, shaft selection-wise?

Next, jumping from set to set, based on archaic myths of “choose graphite for more power!”, or ”choose what’s popular on tour!”, is a waste of time and will keep you floundering in your current predicament.

Choose your next set based on performance.

The best method, the most accurate equipment method, is to test and compare different models, weight, and flexes, and plug-in your answers to the following performance questions-

“Which model gives the best feel during the swing and at impact?”

“Which model allows my body to swing in the best rhythm, balance, and comfort?”

“Which model allows my swing to achieve the best flight and the most consistent contact?”

“Which model does not force me to make adjustments to achieve the best combination of feel, flight and consistency?”

Our current industry is set up for the ease and speed of selling golf clubs, but this is an anti-gravity system of matching you up with the best performing equipment. It is easy, but often results in a poorly matched set.

Find a source that will help you test different head/shaft models.

One place to start is our Authorized Installation Centers. Go to www.shaftology.com, click on our CENTER locator, and inquire as to the Fitting Services offered.

In your specific case, it sounds like you jumped from a heavy, stiff product to a light, “unstable for your body”, product.

Instead of trying another “maybe” set, I urge you to connect with a Fitting Center that will offer you the experience of testing a sensible variety of head, shaft, and specification combinations so that you can answer the above performance questions.

It make take some time and energy, but it is well worth it.

Please reply with any feedback or questions. Regards, Mark

QUESTION: Hi there,

I am a trained clubfitter. I have a set of Callaways with 1050 Stiff shafts. They play very nicely and I like the flex.

I have another set of irons I built which I have installed 1150GH Tour Stiff shafts in. They feel a little too stiff for me - though I can hit them fine. They just feel a bit too stiff. So I was going to soft step them.

My question is, would I need to softstep them once or twice to get them to play more like the 1050 in flex?

For your information, I am a smooth swinger. My swingspeed with a 6 iron is around 82-83 and around 103-105 with driver.

Love your shafts. Thanks, Hugh

 

ANSWER: Hello Hugh,

I am glad to hear of your love affair with our shafts.

If both sets are installed to an ‘S’ flex, and one set “feels” stiffer than the other, then it is not a question of flex. There is a difference in the weight, balance, and geometry of these two models, that is not allowing your body and swing to perform in the same manner with both sets, which often can be assumed to be a flex issue, in that a set plays more difficult, but for different reasons. Also, if the heads are different models, there will be a decided difference in feel, flight and performance.

After many thousands of assessments, I have learned that it is a much better method to “measure” the performance of a given set, versus the guesstimate methods of prediction based on age, handicap, gender, or the mph of a clubhead moving through the air. 

When playing and comparing two different shaft models of different weight, balance and geometry- how well we swing, the flight we are able to achieve, and the head delivery method we attain, are dependent on the suitability of a given model to our body, swing and game.

More specifically, if the 1150GH set feels too heavy, is more difficult to achieve the same flight as the 1050, or comes with an iron head that does contact the turf as efficient as your Callaway set, then you might interpret these feelings as “stiffer’.

You might consider adjusting the flex of your 1150 set, to find a flex rating that is better suited to you, but you may also find that no matter what flex adjustment you make, the weight, balance, geometry and head, still are not optimal for your needs.

Thus, if the 1050GH/Callaway combination yields the best feel and flight and consistency, a multitude of adjustments to the 1150GH may not produce a similar performing set.  

Regarding your original question of soft-stepping your 1150GH set- as a general rule, adjusting a traditional 1150GH shaft installation by installing , for example, a #3 iron shaft into a #4 iron head, will yield a shaft flex that is 1/3 softer.

Please reply with what you learn about your set. Regards, Mark
 

QUESTION: Mark,
I currently play Ping G-10′S. They have the Ping AWT steel shaft in them. I am 6′3 and I play them .75 inch over standard length. I currently pull the ball to the left.

I believe all of my fittings are correct…except for the shaft. I did
not research shafts when being fitted by Ping. I took what they suggested and have the standard AWT steel shaft.
I’m 47 years old and my swing is slowing. I currently swing around 90 mph and will only slow in the future. My elbows hurt after each round and I’m exhausted. I feel that this shaft is to heavy in my irons. I’m looking at sending the clubs to Ping and having the Nippon 850GH Shaft put in them.
My question is basically …….will these shafts help with my accuracy, and obviously being lighter, help my elbows and body to feel better after each round?
Think these shafts will improve my game? I’m just an average golfer…..but not getting any younger. Also, if I do this, what shaft flex would be best ….stiff or regular? I think regular. Please respond.
Thanks, Jeff
AMSWER: Hi Jeff,

Your set of questions is the information that every golfer seeks.

For example, a runner who hits the track on a regular basis, and then finds himself him racked with pain and exhausted after each session, is either using poorly suited shoes, or in unstable health, or a combination of both issues.

Golfers are no different. If your body engages in this wonderful game on a regular basis, but you end up exhausted and in pain, I would seek some help to find your answers.

There is a 100% chance that you will do best, both game improvement-wise, and body-wise, if you find more of a comprehensive approach, versus just some random advice on the web or from a brochure. My experience has shown that you have less than a 5% chance of finding the solutions you seek via random, predictive advice based on swing speed, age, handicap, ability, power, or the level of pain in your joints.

Seeking advice based on age or shot direction, sounds like an easy remedy, but will most likely direct you to where you are right now- with another wrong shaft and still reaching for the Ibuprofen. The N.S. Pro 850GH shaft sounds like a step in right direction, but wouldn’t you like to take the exact right step for you and your golf game?

You might start your search by finding a competent clubmaker center or independent fitter that can help you answer the most basic of your questions. Our Nippon Shaft Authorized Installation Centers can be found at www.shaftology.com by clicking on the CENTER Locator, and inquiring as to the fitting and installation services offered. 

This approach may include shipping clubs to and from one of our centers, or may even include travel on your part, which may be way more than you are ready for, but may also be the perfect solution for you.

In general, if you feel in pain, and are exhausted after the round, you may be playing with a shaft that is too heavy, too short, or possibly too stiff for your needs.

If I was working with you in a fitting session, I would have you test several combinations of longer length, lighter weight, and varying flex, to determine which shaft specification resulted in the best combination of body feel, balanced swing, and efficient flight. This is the only shaft assessment format that leads to an optimal fit for your swing, game and tired and aching body.

Of course, if there is no relief from ANY shaft/equipment combination, then it is time to see a health professional. 

Regarding your question of finding better accuracy- a given shaft never hits a club off-line. Accuracy problems arise when a golfer can not adequately adjust to a given, unnatural shaft model or flex, and thus the body is in the wrong position throughout the swing, and at impact, which then results in a shot location that is out of position. However, if a shaft is optimal for a given golfer, then the golfer swings in a natural, comfortable, powerful motion and is in a great position, both during the swing and at impact, resulting in accurate, powerful golf shots.  

Please reply any time. Regards, Mark

QUESTION: Hi,

I recently bought Mizuno MP52 irons with regular graphite Matrix 84 shafts and am very unhappy with the ball flight (low and right). Could you recommend a better
shaft? My index is 3.5 and my driver swing speed is 90 - not sure about iron speed . Thanks, SP

ANSWER: Hi SP,

Please take my reply in the best possible spirit.

My best suggestion is to read through some of the posts in this Q&A to begin to learn that optimal shaft selection is based on the performance you achieve with a given model and flex, versus a mathematical guess based on a single, lonely criteria of how fast your head flies through the air.

If your are hitting your shots “low and to the right” with your current set, and you are obviously aiming to hit it “far and straight”, then the problem lies either with your swing, the head, the shaft, or the building specifications (length, lie, flex, etc.).

If you generally have success with most iron sets, then this set must be quite ill-fit in that you are unable to find a golf swing that will adjust to this set, and at best, achieve low flight, mis-directed shots.

My best answer is to consider contacting one of the Mizuno Fitting Centers, either with the Fitting Carts, or the Shaft Optimizer System, that contains a wide array of interchangeable head and shaft options. In this manner, you can achieve instant evaluation of the answers you seek.

Another choice is to contact any clubmaker center and ask for their help in assessing your shaft needs. Always call ahead to inquire of the fitting services offered. One place to start is www.shaftology.com by clicking on the CENTER locator link.

At the very least, go to a driving range or any outdoor facility that offers test/demo clubs and hit and compare graphite versus lightweight steel versus traditional steel. It is very common for golfers to find inconsistent, difficult performance with traditional graphite shaft models in their irons, and my guess is this weight does not allow you to swing in a natural, efficient, powerful manner.

It is not a question of quality of manufacture, most often it is a question of finding the needed weight for the golfer to athletically interact with the golf club.

The worst shaft selection option is to base your choice on a math formula, swing speed number or an outright guess according to your handicap.

Please reply with any questions. Regards, Mark