Archive for April, 2009
Thursday, April 30th, 2009
QUESTION: Hi,
I now play the NS PRO 950GH, but I was fitted 2 years ago when I
used to hit the ball low, but now I am hitting the ball really high. I can feel
the shaft is too weak for me and I balloon the ball sometimes.
I’m going to buy the AP2 irons with the Project X Flighted shafts, but I don’t know what
flex to get. I don’t like really heavy shafts but neither too light. My 7
iron distance is 170 yards, if this helps. What flex should I get? Also, are the
Flighted shafts right for me, or should I get the standard ones?
Thanks for your time, Matias
ANSWER: Hi Matias,
You have 2 choices when it comes to determining flex. You can guess, which is what most golfers do when buying golf clubs, or you can make an accurate determination. Any flex chosen off of a website, or based on a yardage or speed formula is a random guess.
Based on your current experience, that your existing set is too light and too flexible, you know that you have to move in a direction of a heavier shaft, a stiffer flex and lower flex profile. This is the part that is not a guess.
My best recommendation is to find a demo day, fitting cart, skilled fitter that offers a range of test clubs, etc. In this manner you are able to feel the shaft, sense the impact and see the flight of the ball. For the purposes of answering your shaft flex and flight questions, I would not be too concerned of the head model of the demo day, fitting cart, etc. This head is important as well, but if you are trying to get an idea of the flex and flight, this is a valid method of answering your question, and way better than a guess from a mathematical formula.
Regards, Mark
Posted in Shaft Fitting |
Thursday, April 30th, 2009
QUESTION: Hi,
I have an old set of Callaway s2h2 irons, the first ones that Callaway ever
made. I hit these things better than any irons I have ever owned. For some
stupid reason I keep buying new irons (845’s, Ping G2, Mizuno MP30, and MX25)
but I always come back to these. I have broken several of the original shafts,
the old Memphis 10s, through wear and tear, can you please let me know of a
shaft that matches the old Memphis 10 to reshaft these irons. I want something
similiar in terms of weight, flex, and kickpoint. I am also 6′7″ and have 1 1/2″ extensions in the original set.
Thanks, Mike
ANSWER: Hi Mike,
You are like most every golfer who is searching for the holy grail of golf equipment. However, sometimes we find a set that is “reasonably efficient” for us with regards to weight, length, and especially the sole of the club. Plus, we all will “morph” our swings and our bodies to best fit the features and rhythm of any set over time. Thus when we try other combinations, even with the latest technology, we fall short in feel, performance and familiarity.
If the sole, balance and feel of a set are quite different, no amount of technology will move us into a new set.
Regarding your question of the best match of shafts to your current set, I do not know what would be the best match to your iron shafts. Maybe the Superpeening ORANGE model, in an R/S flex, but this would be only a guess. If I were doing the installation, I would want to measure the existing set and match as best possible off those numbers. It’s not like there is a universal chart for these type questions. Here are a few options for you to pursue;
1) Contacting the Callaway Company for their input or help, but they most likely will not be able to help with providing you with the shaft that you need since they no longer offer your shaft specifications.
2) You might contact the True Temper Company for help with the specs of their shaft model with regards to weight, flexibility, and flight profile. They may be able to give you a sound answer.
3) My best recommendation is to contact one of our Authorized Installation Centers. Our centers work with all of the top shaft manufacturers, and by getting your input and measuring the shafts in your existing set, they are going to be your best resource on the planet to insure that you have the best possible shaft performance installed in your Callaway irons. This may mean a Nippon Shaft model, or may mean a True Temper model, but they will help you find your best performance.
Please write back if you have any feedback. Regards, MarkÂ
Posted in Shaft Availability |
Thursday, April 30th, 2009
QUESTION: Hi,
I am about to purchase some new irons and looking at shafts that will bring my ball flight down. My driver swing speed is around 100-105 mph. I have been fitted for my size ,(6′7″), to the best of the fitter’s options, but my size has limited his tools as far as trying different shafts.Â
I am curious as to whether a club extended 1.5″ will have the same effective flex point and overall performance as on a standard length shaft. What will a stiff flex versus an
extra stiff shaft be like in an extended length iron? Will it make it have a lower/higher flex point thereby making the trajectory different than advertised? Any help is appreciated.
Thanks, JS
ANSWER: Hi JS,
Thanks for writing.
First, most golfers that go for a “fitting”, are subject to more of a predictive analysis, than actual testing of the the clubs that they perform best with. This is the bad side of our industry.
You may decide not to participate in the bad side of our industry and search for a fitter that can engage your swing and body with head and shaft combinations that give you the performance that you are looking for.Â
It is not always an easy task to find premium golf services. However, quite a few of our Authorized Installation Center employ fitting methods for your needs and they can be contacted by searching our CENTER LOCATOR at www.shaftology.com.
Regarding your questions-
1)Â The golf swing dominates the flight of a golf ball and tall golfers have swings that create a ton of height.
2) For most shafts, the flex point/kick point does not change as the shaft gets longer.
3) For most shaft models, I rarely recommend going stiffer with longer length golf clubs.
4) There are head and shaft combinations that can have a tremendous effect on trajectory, but the only way to determine this is through actual, live testing.
Hope I helped a little bit. Regards, Mark
Â
Posted in Shaft Fitting, Shaft Installation |
Thursday, April 30th, 2009
Question: Hi There, I currently play with a Nippon N.S. Pro Tour 65g X flex in
a 9 degree Miura head. The shaft is great. My main problem
is that I haven’t found a 3 wood shaft yet to play as well.
Would you recomend the WT7000 or the WT8000? Thanks, Andrew
ANSWER: Hi Andrew,
The effectiveness of a #3 metal is a delicate balance of
head, shaft, and building specifications. It is very important
to find that combination that best allows us to swing with
the greatest efficiency, and to achieve the best
flight/distance. This is not such an easy thing to find.
However, regarding the shaft choice, I would think that
keeping the shaft geometry and shaft flex similar to your
driver shaft would be a sound thing to do. Also, most
golfers find that weight-wise, it is a good thing to keep
your #3 wood shaft in a similar weight class or maybe just
a bit heavier than your driver shaft weight.
Therefore, I recommend, based on your success with your
existing driver shaft, to have an NS PRO Tour 75 shaft
installed into a #3 metal (in the same flex range,
swingweight, balance, etc., as your driver shaft).
Be as precise in every choice you make, head-wise,
shaft-wise, and installation-wise, and you will do well.
Regards, Mark
Posted in Shaft Fitting |
Thursday, April 30th, 2009
QUESTION: Hi Mark,
I have a quick question about the 950/1050 shafts. Do these 2 shafts play the
exact same? Basically, will the 950/1050 launch, spin, etc., the same as one
another but just have 2 different weights?
Thanks for your help, Ryan
Â
ANSWER: Hi Ryan,
Yes, these two models have the same design characteristics, and will have the same flight profile.
However, if one of these shaft weights feels better to a golfer, than they will swing better, make better contact, and have a more consistent trajectory.
For specification information on many of our NS PRO models, please go to www.nipponshaft.com.
Regards, MarkÂ
Posted in NS PRO Models |
Wednesday, April 29th, 2009
QUESTION: Hey Nippon Shaftology staff,
I’m thinking of installing the 850GH FW shaft in my Cobra Baffler Pro hybrids, #4/23 degree and #3/20 degree.
I’m looking for the tight dispersion of steel with a stout feel. I don’t like a
loose feel in my hybrids.
Why does the 850 GH FW come in 42″ and 41″ lengths? Should I go with the 41″
for both? And how much tip trimming is required? The #4 hybrid will play at
39.5″ and the #3 hybrid will play at 40.5″. Do those lengths sound right or do you
recommend a different length for steel in hybrids? My 5 iron in 38 inches if
that helps.
Thanks for any info, IG
ANSWER: Hi IG,
The NS PRO 850GH FW is one of our steel fairway shaft models. Unfortunately this model is not available in North America. The 850FW is very similar to our NS PRO 950FW model and most American type players prefer the 950FW over the 850FW.
There is no specialized chart that answers your feel, headweight, length, and trimming questions. My best recommendation is to have one club installed with one of our 950FW shaft models with your best estimate and then test the club to quantify the feel, length, swingweight, flight, distance, etc.
You might consider contacting one of our Authorized Installation Centers with the goal being to integrate your flex needs, your Cobra hybrid head weights, hosel design, and feel that you are looking for.
I believe that your hybrid model is a .335 tip diameter, and with the 950FW available in .335, and a variety of flexes and lengths, together will a skilled installer, you should be able to find the combination of dispersion, stout feel and proper balance that you are looking for.
Regards, Mark
Posted in Shaft Fitting, Shaft Installation, Shaft Availability |
Tuesday, April 28th, 2009
QUESTION: Hi,
“In general”, what height does 990 NS Pro shafts fit? Don’t want a pro ftting
just a general answer…
Thanks, RD
ANSWER: Hi RD,
I am thinking that you are asking a different question than how you have it worded?
The NS PRO 990 shaft that is manufactured for Callaway can be trimmed/installed to a variety of lengths to fit the playability needs and physical needs of golfers with all kinds of heights.
However, I am guessing that you are referencing a standard set of Callaway irons with the NS PRO 990 shaft and asking what height golfer fits into this set. Is my guess correct?
If so, there is no perfect answer, but in general, standard lengths clubs suit golfers who are of reasonable height. If you are 5′9″, or a bit shorter or a bit taller, a traditional length set should play just fine. If you are 5′2″ or 6′5″, a traditional set will not be optimum. The heights between these numbers are more grey areas and are best answered through live testing.
No matter what your height, it it very helpful to find a fitting cart of any manufacturer and compare and contrast clubs of different lengths by hitting them, preferably in an outdoor setting. If you find that you are hitting a certain length with better contact and more of a natural swing, then that length is optimum for your needs.
Please write back anytime. Regards, MarkÂ
Posted in Shaft Fitting |
Monday, April 27th, 2009
QUESTION: Hi,
I have some Mizuno MP-57 irons. I am looking at getting some new stiff shafts.Â
I have a swing speed of 100 mph. I can work the ball pretty well and am a
scratch golfer. What shaft would you suggest I look at getting? I Have been
looking at some Project X 6.0 golf shafts?
Thanks, Stephan
ANSWER: Hi Stephan,
Shaft selection is most accurate via live trial/testing, and will always be the final judge in whether or not you play with a given set of shafts.
However, some of the selection factors to consider are;
-Â Your performance goals,
- Your success, or lack of success with your existing set,
-Â Desired feel during the swng, feel at impact, distance, and trajectory
Based on the starting information you provided, some of our shaft models to consider are our NS PRO Superpeening Blue, NS PRO Superpeening Orange, and NS PRO 1150GH Tour.
The Blue is a traditional weight, mid-low launch model. The Orange and 1150GH models are mid weight, mid launch models. The specifications for these models are available at www.nipponshaft.com.
For help with comparing our NS PRO models with other brands and performance, I recommend our Authorized Installation Center network. For contact information, go to www.shaftology.com.
Regards, Mark
Posted in Shaft Fitting |
Monday, April 27th, 2009
QUESTION: Hello,
I am looking for a set of 8 (3 iron to PW) Nippon 950GH shafts in S flex. None of the golf supply stores in my area carry Nippon.
Are you able to help me via mail order?
The shafts are for Macgregor PCB Tour Irons — which I believe need a .355 taper tip, but I am not sure.
Thanks, Kyle
Â
ANSWER: Hi Kyle,
You have several options.(1) The NS PRO 950GH is available through our Authorized Installation Centers on an installation basis only. Please go to www.shaftology.com for their location and contact information.
Â
(2) Contact the major manufacturers directly for new models or work on existing models.
(3) Our NS PRO 8950GH is available direct to you by going to www.swingsciencestore.com.Â
Regarding information on the specification of your head, the 3 major factors that affect installation and playability include the specific head weight, hosel diameter, and ground to the bottom of the bore measurement. For best understanding how these factors integrate into optimum performance, I recommend contacting a skilled installer.
Regards, MarkÂ
Posted in Shaft Availability, NS PRO 8950GH |
Friday, April 24th, 2009
QUESTION: Hi Mark,
I’ve read alot of your reviews and I think I have my answer,
but just need your confirmation. I use Snake Eyes 675B
blades 2-PW fitted with Pured Nippon 1150GH Tour stiff
shafts at D2 swingweight. I have 52 and 58 degree Vokey
wedges with Dynamic Golds and I’m looking to reshaft them
both with the new WV shafts. Can you confirm that I’d be
better to go with the WV125 133g shaft for my wedges,
and would it be better if I re-shaft my PW as well?
Regards, Ian
Â
ANSWER: Hi Ian,
Of the 3 wedge models in this series- Yes, your best match
based on your 1150 iron shaft model is most likely the
WV125 wedge shaft. I say most likely because most golfers
with the 1150GH’s as their iron shafts, prefer the WV125, but
a small percentage prefer the WV115 or the Blue Superpeening.
Of course the only way to determine the exact choice is
always via live testing.
Regarding your question of changing your PW. It depends.
If you see your PW as primarily a full swing club, much like
you #9 iron, I would keep the same 1150GH shaft in your PW.
However, if your PW is used primarily as a half swing, chip
shot, and short game club, I would consider changing the
shaft to the WV125.
Best regards, Mark
Posted in Wedge Shafts |
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