Correct shaft weights

[revkev]

Sometimes I think I put way too much thought into golf but I'm also thinking that I've come to the right place as so do many of you here.

 

Here's my question. I was fit for clubs three times last season - once was a fitting and general check up for my entire bag - that fitting caused the following adjustments:

 

1. Putter shortened and regriped with a thicker grip (the results were great)

2. Irons were reshafted because the shafts that I had in them were not what they said they were and were way, way too strong for me (good results higher launch, better feel) These graphite shafts weigh 67 grams and are set so that I have between an R and an S flex in them.

3. Wedges and hybrids were left alone

4. Driver and three wood were reshafted and shortened 1/2 inch to 45" and 43" respectively.

 

 

Fitting two was for irons only for my tour staff contest prize - the fitter was convinced that I should switch from graphite to steel and so I followed his suggestion - the results were disasterous for my game - I had been playing graphite for 5 years and am 56 years old. Interestingly the Mizuno fitting mechanism suggested several shafts to try and I had three head/shaft combos that scored around the same one of which was graphite (should have followed my gut, my bad, my loss.)

 

Fitting number three was at the tour fitting center at TPC Sawgrass - It was long - 3 hours and quite comprehensive - although it was primarily geared towards my woods the fitter was gracious enough to include his recommendation that I go back to graphite in my irons. I should say here that Mizuno was awesome - they took my irons back and sent me a brand new set with Project x 5.0 graphites in them. Amazing!

 

The driver that I ended up being fit for had a shorter shaft still 44 1/2 inches but surprisingly it was also heavier - that was the key too - I picked up siginficant yardage over my driver at the time and lost the yardage back when I tried the same driver head and setting with a lighter weight shaft.

 

So here's the question. Is it really that unusual to prefer a lighter weight shaft in irons while having a heavier weight (really a pretty neutral weight - mid 60's) shaft in the wood?

 

I'm thinking this is a product of the fact that the prpoer swing for the driver is slightly different (out and up) than the swing for the irons (left and down.) Is that correct? Am I wacked? What's everyone's take on this?

[JMiller]

So here's the question. Is it really that unusual to prefer a lighter weight shaft in irons while having a heavier weight (really a pretty neutral weight - mid 60's) shaft in the wood?

 

I'm thinking this is a product of the fact that the proper swing for the driver is slightly different (out and up) than the swing for the irons (left and down.) Is that correct? Am I wacked? What's everyone's take on this?

 

The short answer is NO, you are not crazy. Honestly, I would just attribute that up to your individual FEEL needs and swing weight.

 

I personally went to the club builder last night here locally from a recommendation by my friend Jim, and found out that my irons were D0 to D1 which caused me to sometimes get out in front of the ball or fast in the downswing, I didn't know how to time my body properly because I couldn't feel the head weight. The builder put on some lead tape at first to bring one clubs to a D4 and it instantly improved my timing. The clubs were originally built to a D2, then I changed grips and added some build up wraps under the right hand and presto I was back weighting them 1 or 2 points.

 

In the end I had my entire set swing weighted this is 100% what I need for my FEEL to be able to make a good smooth well timed swing.

 

Driver ~ D6

4wood ~ D7 (it's over length probably going to cut it down 1/4" which will bring swing weight down some)

Hybrid ~ D2 increased it to D4 (when i switch from the 88g shaft to 98g shaft this should take care of the swing weight alone)

3-PW ~ D0 to D1 increased all to D4

GW ~ D3 increased to D4

Sw ~ D3 increased to D5

LW ~ increased to D6

 

For me to FEEL the head in the swing the clubs has to be D4 or heavier otherwise I lose my touch and feel getting myself out of sequence at times. It's actually a pretty important thing for a player to get the feel of the club right.

 

 

So over all I don't think there is a correct / incorrect shaft weight, it's more a swing weight that works well for you.