QUESTION: Hi,

Would like to change the shafts in my son’s Taylor Made Burner irons from graphite to steel.  He’s 14 yrs. old, currently 5′5″ and growing. His driver swing speed is around 95 mph.  Would the 950 shaft be a good choice? Do you recommend leaving them the standard length or have them shortened to fix his current height?  Thanks, JM

ANSWER: Hello JM,

Your logic sounds reasonable enough, however, these are questions best left for an experienced fitter. If your son likes the game is going to continue on in golf, one thing is for sure- he will also continue to grow, and you will have similar questions next time, and then again.

I recommend that you contact a fitter or two and find someone that can be a regular resource for your equipment questions. Also, if you have a teacher for your son, it is not a bad idea for you to make your teacher aware that you are working with a fitter. There are synergies that can be very benefical to your son’s game.

Regarding your specific questions, the shaft choice seems to be a good stepping stone moving from graphite to steel. You might consider finding a driving range that offers some demo/test clubs, in any head brand, and have him hit lighter and heavier shafts and gauge his response.

Regarding the length question, at 5′ 5″ and growing, most younger golfers should be playing at a traditional length, and most fitters will stress that the length/lie relationship is very important. The Taylor Burner irons are not the easiest to physically alter the lie angle, but a first class shop will be able to help you.

Please write back any time. Regards, Mark

QUESTION: Hi,

My daughter’s swing speed with a 6 iron is 72 mph. What would be a good iron
shaft for her? Thanks, PAR

ANSWER: Hi,

After many thousands of shaft fittings, I have learned that attempting to use a solitary performance criteria, such a swing speed, to determine the weight, geometry, and flex for a golfer is quite injurious to the health of that golfer’s game.

Since you obviously have the best interests of your daughter’s game in mind, I strongly urge the following-

1) Search out as much good information as possible on shafts, fitting, and equipment. Try to filter out what doesn’t make sense to you. Many of the internet equipment forums have more equipment nonsene than good advice. One place to start is a blog that I have started at www.feelandflight.blogspot.com.

2) Find a skilled clubmaker or fitting facility that you can ask your questions or receive help with fitting your daughter properly. There are quite a few good facililties, some of which are located at www.shaftology.com.

3) Rely primarily on your daughter’s feedback as to what is working well for her, and what is not. Most of the time, the stuff that is a struggle is any shaft, head, or specification that makes her modify or adjust her swing and game in a non-natural, inefficient manner. If your daughter has a swing coach or teacher, ask them to filter her equipment choices  through the concept that all of us should choose equipment that allows us to achieve the most efficient, most natural swing, and the best ball flight, without the need for compensation. Regards, Mark

QUESTION: Hi Mark,

I just wanted to get your advice on which Nippon Shaft model to consider for my 11
year old son.  Currently he is using the Dynamic Gold steel shaft in regular
flex.  I plan to purchase new irons, and have the Titleist AP2 irons in mind
for him.  I noticed that I have the choice of either the NS Pro 100 or the NS
Pro 970.  He has never had any problems getting the ball airborne and naturally
has a high ball flight.  He is a 9 handicap, plays competetive golf, and hits a
6 iron about 145-150 yards.  What would you reccommend I choose for him?  Please
include pros and cons for both.  Thanks so much!

Michael

ANSWER: Hi Michael,

When it comes to most golfers, the answer to the shaft selection question is- “The shaft model that allows the golfer to swing in the most efficient manner, and achieve the most efficient ball flight.” In the case of younger golfers- despite the seemingly urgent need for 
immediate performance, the answer actually is- “The shaft model that aids the younger golfer in achieving the most efficient development of their golf swing and game.”

Thus, it is of ultra-critical performance that competitive, younger golfers find a shaft model that allows them to work towards the development of their swing to achieve full use of their ever- changing body, with a golf swing that seeks balance, rhythm and power.

It is quite easy to find a shaft model that is heavy or light, long or short, or flexible or stiff. The difficult task is to select the proper shaft model, weight and flex that is ideal for their developing swing. The only definitive shaft slection method to determine the optimal shaft model, whether for an adult player, or an 11 year old golfer, is live testing and comparison of the different choices. 11 year olds, just like adults, come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, swing delivery types, tempos, feels, powers, etc., and I have yet to see an “average adult” or an “average 11 year old”.

I recommend that you and your son find a Titleist Demo Day or Titleist Fitting Cart or Titleist Authorized Center, or connect with one of our Authorized Installation Centers that offer live testing options, and compare and contrast the different choices. If your son is able to swing several shaft options, his body and swing will most likely find the shaft that allows him to swing with balance, rhythm, and power.

If your son is working with a teaching pro, you might also consider sharing this reply with his pro.

Regarding my recommendation for your two proposed choices, barring any live testing, off the top of my head, I would suggest that the Titleist NS PRO 970 model might be the better shaft for your son. I have fitted dozens of competitive golfers in your son’s age bracket, via live, comparative testing, and some of the popular choices have been as follows;

NS PRO WT7000 graphite

NS PRO 750GH steel

NS PRO  850GH steel

NS PRO 950GH steel (model closest to the 970)

Good luck on your search. Regards, Mark  

QUESTION: Dear Mark:

Thanks for your very clear response to my 8950GH shaft selection questions. I
will use them for my son, 13 years old, plays competitive golf, and hits his 7
iron about 135 yards. His irons would play 2″ shorter from standard (7 iron at
35″).
Would you suggest A flex, R flex, or any of these flexes soft stepped? If I were
to soft step them, what is maximum number of “steps” you suggest?
Regards, and hope to hear from you soon, LJV

ANSWER: Hi LJV,

The most important thing for a younger, competitive golfer is to make sure that they are equipped with a set of club specifications that aid them in learning how to swing in the most powerful and efficient manner. Regarding the length, a 35″ #7 iron is quite short for a 13 year old, and maybe this length is ideal, or maybe he would learn this game faster on a longer length, and possibly with a flatter lie?

Even if your son is of a smaller stature, at 13, he is fast approaching adult age and size. He is certainly still growing, but for the younger competitive generation, a golfer needs to learn and harness all the power in his frame. This doesn’t mean to give him a long length that will force him to make an unbalanced, non fundamentally sound swing. What I am saying is to equip him with a length that pushes him to find all the power he possesses, and still be able to swing in rhythm and balance. In this regard, it is critical that he has his lie angle measured and adjusted for his body and swing. For golfers of his stature, a flatter lie angle- or better yet, a lie angle that is ideal for his swing, will be of great developmental help. 

Regarding the shaft flex, for the situation you have described, my best guess is to go with the NS PRO 8950GH in an ‘A’ flex. On a shorter length iron set, it is important to make sure that the set is “not stiff”. This is just a guess, but a reasonable one.

Regards, Mark