A little used club advice

[revkev]

I don’t want to make this one too complicated. My son played in a scramble last week.  He hadn’t played in over a year and as a Dad with a busy job and two young kids doesn’t play often.

 

He’s very active and when he plays hits the ball a mile - when he used to play a lot more I’ve seen him hit 121 on track an and he’s over 140 green stick with no warm up taking a casual swing in the back yard.

The clubs that he is using are an old set of mine - the driver is a Ping Rapture with an upgraded stiff shaft.

I want to buy him a new (used) driver for Father’s Day. I think he will be amazed at what happens when he’s in a x flex shaft.  But I know next to nothing about that equipment segment - I’ve never gamed anything x because by the time it was readily available I had aged out of really needing it. 
 

Suggestions as to what to look for an eBay? I’d want to be at least 3 models back in order to save some money - it’s the shaft that I’m concerned about here. 
 

Thanks 

[GolfSpy_BNG]

Are you looking 3 models back with a stock x shaft?  
 

Shafts are so personal, much like a putter or ball imo. 

[RickyBobby_PR]

Like when buying other flexes the x flex is just a different flex. Having a rough idea of what he likes in terms of feel from a shaft will help get you in the ball park of what shaft to get.

Does he like a counterbalance shaft, stiff butt end or more soft butt end? Also depending on what route a 6.0 instead of 6.5 in a px could be doable.

If he’s not sure then what shaft is he playing now. 

As for price unless you are going after a Ventus velocore or autoflexx you can probably find good shafts for $200 or less and probably in the $100 range for stock shafts

[cnosil]

If it were me, I’d pick the head and then see what x-stiff stock shafts are available on eBay, 2nd swing, global golf, etc.  

[pulledabill]

34 minutes ago, cnosil said:

If it were me, I’d pick the head and then see what x-stiff stock shafts are available on eBay, 2nd swing, global golf, etc.  

Not a bad idea as it most likely would save you a few $$ if you get an adapter on it.  Another place is the pre-owned Callaway website.  They also have an ebay store which I think in general is a few bucks cheaper then directly from the website.  I picked up a Tensei Blue in X with Callaway Optfit adapter for my Cobra.  I do my own club work so I did the change over myself and have an extra adapter for various buddies Callaways when needed.  

Depending on his driver swing speed, he may need to be 7x and possibly tipped.  

[release]

I had been there in his shoes with obligation and prioritizing, of what's important in life.

Trust me, cost of golf equipment, as much as they are these days, is nothing comparing to the green fees and other expenses associated with golfing even for just once a week.

His kids will grow up fast enough.  By the time he turned around, they'll be 18 and out of the house either to higher education or started working.  I had never regret the choice I had made.  

[revkev]

7 hours ago, cnosil said:

If it were me, I’d pick the head and then see what x-stiff stock shafts are available on eBay, 2nd swing, global golf, etc.  

Thanks for the replies guys, all were helpful but this ones the winner. 
 

I knew I’d get great answers quickly - 

[ChitownM2]

I hate to point someone to a different golf forum as I firmly believe the community here is the best, but when shopping for used clubs, take a look over at the classifieds on GolfWRX.  That place is literally flooded with drivers/shafts and I'd say at least half of them are X-flex.  Everyone over there must be a monster.....or at least has convinced themselves that they are.  Jump back to page 7 or 8 until you find ads that are a week or two old and see what is still available.  They are usually pretty motivated sellers and willing to haggle at that point.  I've seen last years cobra speedzone or TM Sim heads as low as $200 and then you can find a shaft pull for $75. 

[release]

I don't look for used golf clubs less than 20 years vintage.

One, the "new" model comes out once or several times a calendar year. and the previous NOS will drop at least 50-60%  with OEM warranty.  Secondly, they will not last , even with proper care, because of the new multilevel material construction.  Same theory as in the construction industry material;  where they claim the reconstructed 2x4, glued together with resin will be stronger than the one piece lumber.... what about decades down the road ?   Glue does not expand nor contract in unison with the pieces of natural wood it held together.  That alone will cause issue besides the aging of the resin over the years.

I guess it'll be okay if one doesn't expect the new $600 driver ( upward to close to $1,000)to last beyond a few seasons. and accept the disposable principle.

I talked to many golfers, and some of them trade in their equipment often, simply because they don't expect it to last.  I will be surprised if some of these glued together equipment would maintain their originally designed structural integrity after years of use.  You see the golf clubs made with persimmon , steel still around after a century and could be used on the golf course but, not with the modern equipment.  Not with the current design.

If I'm lucky, I would see new material being introduced into making golf club ( shafts first , then the heads ), however, more realistically, the one piece golf ball should surface before a new mono material shaft.

[RickyBobby_PR]

1 hour ago, release said:

I don't look for used golf clubs less than 20 years vintage.

One, the "new" model comes out once or several times a calendar year. and the previous NOS will drop at least 50-60%  with OEM warranty.  Secondly, they will not last , even with proper care, because of the new multilevel material construction.  Same theory as in the construction industry material;  where they claim the reconstructed 2x4, glued together with resin will be stronger than the one piece lumber.... what about decades down the road ?   Glue does not expand nor contract in unison with the pieces of natural wood it held together.  That alone will cause issue besides the aging of the resin over the years.

I guess it'll be okay if one doesn't expect the new $600 driver ( upward to close to $1,000)to last beyond a few seasons. and accept the disposable principle.

I talked to many golfers, and some of them trade in their equipment often, simply because they don't expect it to last.  I will be surprised if some of these glued together equipment would maintain their originally designed structural integrity after years of use.  You see the golf clubs made with persimmon , steel still around after a century and could be used on the golf course but, not with the modern equipment.  Not with the current design.

If I'm lucky, I would see new material being introduced into making golf club ( shafts first , then the heads ), however, more realistically, the one piece golf ball should surface before a new mono material shaft.

Equipment lasts longer thank most think. I play with guys regularly that have molded and adjustable drivers and woods that are 7-10 years old and they play 3 times a week weather permitting all year.

I played last week with a random guy that had an r15 driver that still hits it 285+ carry

[Kansas King]

On 5/30/2021 at 10:06 AM, RickyBobby_PR said:

Equipment lasts longer thank most think. I play with guys regularly that have molded and adjustable drivers and woods that are 7-10 years old and they play 3 times a week weather permitting all year.

I played last week with a random guy that had an r15 driver that still hits it 285+ carry

Fun fact, drivers actually tend to get longer as they get played with, especially with the longer hitters. This is why tour drivers have to get tested occasionally as drivers that were on the edge the rules can actually become non conforming over time. 

[Kansas King]

If you're unsure of shafts in drivers and you're looking back a few years, I recommend looking up the Titleist shaft charts from whatever year your looking at. They can help give a ballpark idea of where the shafts line up in terms of launch and spin. The charts won't include everything and factory stock shafts may not perform the exact same but it should give you an idea. 

[GolfSpy AFG]

@cnosilbeat me to it (again), but I was going to say Global Golf.  I just did a quick search for used drivers with an extra stiff shaft and got 23 in-stock results back.  Not sure what price range you're looking in...