Heavy shaft options for upcoming strong 3 wood build

[Undershooter]

I'm FINALLY about to do some hoeing again and the only thing in my bag that doesn't bring huge amounts of confidence is my strong 3W, which I am wanting to replace. Its probably been over 6 months since I've bought anything golf related (I know, I'm amazed as well). Currently I'm wanting the fairway wood shaft to be heavier than my driver shaft which is a Diamana Ahina 80X. I'm taking any and all suggestions for fairway wood heads in the 11* to 14* range and shafts ranging from 90ish-100ish grams. 

 

I have no doubt that this subject will get very little action and only be useful to only a small niche of the golfing population but its what I'm needing. Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions. 

[hckymeyer]

Finding heavier than 80 gram range in a .335 tip is going to be tough.  Have you tried the Ahina in a fairway yet?

 

Would a hybrid shaft even be long enough to play at a 3w length?  Might be able to find a .370 hosel fairway head.

 

Or could you go steel shaft with something like an X7 or C-Taper?

[Undershooter]

Finding heavier than 80 gram range in a .335 tip is going to be tough.  Have you tried the Ahina in a fairway yet?

 

Would a hybrid shaft even be long enough to play at a 3w length?  Might be able to find a .370 hosel fairway head.

 

Or could you go steel shaft with something like an X7 or C-Taper?

Thanks for the reply Hcky. I've thought of all those options but don't really know what is the best route to go with yet. I have not tried the Ahina in a fairway yet and was hoping that wasn't my best option purely bc I know that it will be lighter than my driver although not by that much. 

The hybrid shaft idea I like but I don't know how differently those will play in a fairway wood head. I'm guessing not too different but this is why I started this thread, hopefully smarter people than I can tell me. 

I'm wanting to stay away from steel if possible. I've had an X100 in a 3 wood before and hit it pretty well but I don't think I will be able to get the distance I'm looking for out of a shaft that heavy. 

 

So far some of my thoughts have been a UST Proforce 96 or one of the Axivcore shafts in the same weight range. The Axivcore confuse me a little though, it seems like I might need an XX flex in those but I'm not sure since this will be an accuracy club and not something I'm trying murder. 

[hckymeyer]

I just google Heavy Fairway Wood Shafts and got a few good results from various WRX threads.  It looks there are more options than I thought, but a lot of them are tour issue only and harder to find.

 

Fuji Rombax Pro 95 seems to be popular and there was a Project X 10a something that was 100grams but hard to find.

 

You might have some luck with checking Will Peoples (The Peoples Clubs) for them.

[Undershooter]

I just google Heavy Fairway Wood Shafts and got a few good results from various WRX threads.  It looks there are more options than I thought, but a lot of them are tour issue only and harder to find.

 

Fuji Rombax Pro 95 seems to be popular and there was a Project X 10a something that was 100grams but hard to find.

 

You might have some luck with checking Will Peoples (The Peoples Clubs) for them.

I saw a few of those threads while searching. I don't think they make the Rombax anymore so it may be kinda hard to find. The project X looked promising if I can get my hands on one without having to cut off my foot as payment. And good call on Will, I can't believe I had forgot about him. Every time I'm looking for a certain TI club head, he's the first name I think of. Not sure why I would forget about him for shafts. 

[jaskanski]

The Fuji Rombax Pro 95 is certainly where it's at when it comes to heavy weight fairway shafts and is pretty much the gold standard for feel and stability for pros and low index players who prefer the weight. 

Plenty of pulls are usually available but it's popularity means they are quickly snapped up too.

If you're looking for slightly higher trajectory, the MRC Thump may fit the bill, but as with any shaft/head combo, a fitting session is your best bet.

http://www.mrc-golf.com/products/thumpâ„¢-fairway

[Undershooter]

The Fuji Rombax Pro 95 is certainly where it's at when it comes to heavy weight fairway shafts and is pretty much the gold standard for feel and stability for pros and low index players who prefer the weight. 

Plenty of pulls are usually available but it's popularity means they are quickly snapped up too.

If you're looking for slightly higher trajectory, the MRC Thump may fit the bill, but as with any shaft/head combo, a fitting session is your best bet.

http://www.mrc-golf.com/products/thumpâ„¢-fairway

You are one of the people I was hoping would comment on this! I will keep an eye out on the Rombax for sure. And its funny you mention the thump. If memory serves, I've actually got a Japanese tour only iron shaft Thump in my 3i and I absolutely love that shaft. Would the profiles be similar? 

 

Edit: I have found a Fuji Rombax tp-95 in X. The shaft has Taylormade logos on it so I assume the tp-95 is the same as the Pro 95, just the Tmag version. Am I correct in thinking this? 

[Kor.A.Door]

Not sure on shafts, but tour edge makes a 11.5 strong 3w that is stupid long, they have it in the xcg-5 model you can probably pick it up for pretty cheap these days

[Undershooter]

Not sure on shafts, but tour edge makes a 11.5 strong 3w that is stupid long, they have it in the xcg-5 model you can probably pick it up for pretty cheap these days

That's one of the routes I was probably leaning. I loved my old CB4 strong 3 wood back a few years ago. TEE makes excellent drivers and fairways.

Did they ever get round to offering an 11.5* in LH?

[Undershooter]

Alright either my google skills are declining or there is VERY limited info on the Fuji Rombax tp-95. Can anyone confirm if this is the same as the p95 or if its a tmag "made for" varient? I assume its the real deal bc why would they go through the trouble of making a fake version of a 95g shaft. The market for a shaft that heavy has to be tiny. 

[jaskanski]

If only it were that easy lol.

There are subtle differences between the shafts in not only TM's TP line, but also in Fujikuras notoriously fickle specs too.

If you have a TM TP-95 without any REAX labelling or any other additional TM logos on the main label, then you have a real Rombax 95 - which is almost identical (but not quite in Fujikura specs!) to the Pro 95.

It should read: 

Fujikura // ROMBAX TP 95 // Flex X

 

on the label pane ONLY. Taylormade logos are OUTSIDE the label pane, if that makes sense.

 

The Rombax 95 is basically a tweaked version of the original Pro 95 shaft and similar Zcom 95 shafts also appeared at around the same time - again, with similar but not identical specs. Unless you're uber fussy about what shaft you have, then all 3 should be a similarly good fit for the same swing style, the only real difference is in paintwork IMO. Some players with faster swings and transitions than mine (Nick Price maybe?) will probably relate stories about subtle differences in feel between the 3 and the Pro 95 coming out on top as the best. For me, they all feel like rebar lol.

[Undershooter]

Good lord no wonder I couldnt make sense of any of the info I was reading elsewhere! haha

From what you have said I think I may end up with the real deal. I attached a picture of the shaft that I bought. Even if its not the real deal, as long as its close I should be happy. If it isn't then oh well, its just a $60 experiment.

[jaskanski]

Yup - you've got the real deal. A bargain too - enjoy.

[Undershooter]

Yup - you've got the real deal. A bargain too - enjoy.

Thanks bud! As always, super helpful and knowledgeable.

[Undershooter]

Alright time to move on to a head to go with it. I will be scouring the interwebs for some bargain strong 3w options. I will update this when I've found something. In the mean time, any suggestions are welcomed. 

[Kor.A.Door]

That's one of the routes I was probably leaning. I loved my old CB4 strong 3 wood back a few years ago. TEE makes excellent drivers and fairways.

Did they ever get round to offering an 11.5* in LH?

Nope, I actually sent them an email a while back and asked if I could get one, and of course they said no. It was only offered in RH, but us lefties are used to that, I can get a strong 3 but I would have to go to an outside brand.

[Undershooter]

Nope, I actually sent them an email a while back and asked if I could get one, and of course they said no. It was only offered in RH, but us lefties are used to that, I can get a strong 3 but I would have to go to an outside brand.

Man that sucks. I would bet you could prolly get a new tour issue strong 3 from a couple year models ago for next to nothing on the bay. I've come accross quite a few so far in my search. Its obviously not going to be the TEE your wanting but those have been few and far between(even in RH) so far unless you want one that's overpriced. 

[Undershooter]

Anyone know the difference between the RBZ tour spoon vs the tour S. I know they are both tour spoons and that the S is a smaller head. Any idea about playing characteristic differences?

 

Did some searching but couldn't find anything.

[Kor.A.Door]

Man that sucks. I would bet you could prolly get a new tour issue strong 3 from a couple year models ago for next to nothing on the bay. I've come accross quite a few so far in my search. Its obviously not going to be the TEE your wanting but those have been few and far between(even in RH) so far unless you want one that's overpriced.

I've been much more consistent with the driver lately, I think I'm pretty set on the top of the bag, working in the bottom end now.

[Undershooter]

I've been much more consistent with the driver lately, I think I'm pretty set on the top of the bag, working in the bottom end now.

I'm honestly pretty happy with mine as Well. I just nitpicked a bit about my fairway wood. Its the only thing I'm not 100% about.

[numberonecoog]

I love the original 13.5 3 deep. Ball just went off that club

[Kor.A.Door]

I did got the M2 three wood, and I am looking to do a head to head with my TE. The M2 is really long.

[Undershooter]

I did got the M2 three wood, and I am looking to do a head to head with my TE. The M2 is really long.

Interesting. I've always like Tmag fairway woods.

[KCLeo12]

I have always love the mans shaft in my 3 wood been playing it for 4 years. I play the Aldila XPP8 low/low 88 gram shaft

[Undershooter]

I will keep it in mind if the Rombax doesn't work out KC. I've always like aldila shafts in fairway woods. Not the driver so much but everything else.

[McGolf]

UST Chrome +  8F5  Xflex is 88 grams or the 9F5X comes in at 100 grams.

If you are looking to EBAy something then try the older ADAMs tour models they were very good.

newer OEM stuff try the Wilson F5 13.5 that can be adjusted to 12.5 up to 15.5