Shaft Hack - The Otto Phlex Journey

[DukeStKing]

On 2/8/2023 at 11:24 AM, DukeStKing said:

I did it the 40 gram Aldila in regular flex:

The top 7 hits carry average was 227- 3 yards longer than my G425 Max with the Otto Phlex. Not apples to apples, but it makes me reconsider getting the Paradym. 

I want to thank everyone who has been responding to my Paradym v 425 Max dilemma. It’s making me rethink the idea of getting the Paradym- I’ll never be able to get a fair value for my brand new g425 max and if I can fix the launch angle issues with the Max, I’ll be golden.  
I just can’t seem to reconcile the fact that I got better launch angle numbers and carry distance with the Paradym regardless of shaft and even swing speed- whether I swung the Paradym at 98 or 100 it’s still carried in the 230’s. 

So I could not bring myself to pull the trigger on a $600 Paradym when I could get a Rogue Max St for $350 (Like New) on CPO. I’ll give it a try using their generous return policy, but I’m thinking the numbers will not be that much better- if I set it up the same as the Paradym, I bet they will be pretty equal. But I’ll be prepping my Otto Phlex with a Callaway adapter to prepare for either driver head I finally end up with. What I like about both Callaway heads is that they are lighter than my Ping 425 Max (which I sold). The Rogue is 194 grams compared to the 204 of the Ping. So it will be easier to get the Rogue to D0 or D1 without having to replace the head weight, which I needed to do with the Ping- replacing the head weight in the 425 defeated the purpose of playing it, because it reduced the MOI and forgiveness which is the key reason to play the Ping. 

[DukeStKing]

On 2/23/2023 at 10:40 AM, DukeStKing said:

So I could not bring myself to pull the trigger on a $600 Paradym when I could get a Rogue Max St for $350 (Like New) on CPO. I’ll give it a try using their generous return policy, but I’m thinking the numbers will not be that much better- if I set it up the same as the Paradym, I bet they will be pretty equal. But I’ll be prepping my Otto Phlex with a Callaway adapter to prepare for either driver head I finally end up with. What I like about both Callaway heads is that they are lighter than my Ping 425 Max (which I sold). The Rogue is 194 grams compared to the 204 of the Ping. So it will be easier to get the Rogue to D0 or D1 without having to replace the head weight, which I needed to do with the Ping- replacing the head weight in the 425 defeated the purpose of playing it, because it reduced the MOI and forgiveness which is the key reason to play the Ping. 

Either driver head ended up being the Paradym. I finally pulled the trigger after a fitting session at PGA SS- my numbers with the Paradym were a lot better. So here’s the head weight of the Paradym- 2 grams lighter than the Rogue. Should be even easier to Otto Phlex it… so I have that going for me, which is nice. 

[azstu324]

2 hours ago, DukeStKing said:

Either driver head ended up being the Paradym. I finally pulled the trigger after a fitting session at PGA SS- my numbers with the Paradym were a lot better. So here’s the head weight of the Paradym- 2 grams lighter than the Rogue. Should be even easier to Otto Phlex it… so I have that going for me, which is nice. 

Ooohh ahhh

What OP shaft do you have in store for this one?

 

[azstu324]

Been minute since I posted in my own thread

Today I discovered an extra gear in the Garafalloy PLB.. I think.

Until today I haven't really been trying to launch too high as the shaft seems to do that automatically. Today I Really tried to focus on hitting up and turning up the juice a little.. but in a controlled manner. Holy snot the ball just never seemed to fall out of the sky. I hit 2 shots on a hole just to compare. One more normal, and one with "the sauce". Both middle of the fairway. I got to the first one and couldn't see the 2nd anywhere even though it was on a similar line. I thought maybe it hit a sprinkler and took a wild bounce. Well it ended up being about 30 yds further down the fairway and a difference between a 8 iron and a PW to the green. 

Now . I'm not sure that I can sustain the swing needed to make that drive on a regular basis, but it's sure cool to know that the shaft is just THAT stable. 

[GolfSpy SAM]

2 minutes ago, azstu324 said:

Been minute since I posted in my own thread

Today I discovered an extra gear in the Garafalloy PLB.. I think.

Until today I haven't really been trying to launch too high as the shaft seems to do that automatically. Today I Really tried to focus on hitting up and turning up the juice a little.. but in a controlled manner. Holy snot the ball just never seemed to fall out of the sky. I hit 2 shots on a hole just to compare. One more normal, and one with "the sauce". Both middle of the fairway. I got to the first one and couldn't see the 2nd anywhere even though it was on a similar line. I thought maybe it hit a sprinkler and took a wild bounce. Well it ended up being about 30 yds further down the fairway and a difference between a 8 iron and a PW to the green. 

Now . I'm not sure that I can sustain the swing needed to make that drive on a regular basis, but it's sure cool to know that the shaft is just THAT stable. 

Are you still swinging it at the D2 (I just happened to see that post before this one), or are you back to D0? 

[carter18]

3 minutes ago, azstu324 said:

Been minute since I posted in my own thread

Today I discovered an extra gear in the Garafalloy PLB.. I think.

Until today I haven't really been trying to launch too high as the shaft seems to do that automatically. Today I Really tried to focus on hitting up and turning up the juice a little.. but in a controlled manner. Holy snot the ball just never seemed to fall out of the sky. I hit 2 shots on a hole just to compare. One more normal, and one with "the sauce". Both middle of the fairway. I got to the first one and couldn't see the 2nd anywhere even though it was on a similar line. I thought maybe it hit a sprinkler and took a wild bounce. Well it ended up being about 30 yds further down the fairway and a difference between a 8 iron and a PW to the green. 

Now . I'm not sure that I can sustain the swing needed to make that drive on a regular basis, but it's sure cool to know that the shaft is just THAT stable. 

Did you say you moved it to more of a D2 swingweight?

[azstu324]

6 minutes ago, GolfSpy_SAM said:

Are you still swinging it at the D2 (I just happened to see that post before this one), or are you back to D0? 

 

6 minutes ago, carter18 said:

Did you say you moved it to more of a D2 swingweight?

Jinx!!

Yeah I'm at D2 now. It's honestly the best feeling shaft I've EVER played. 

Now that I've got me a Mevo (little guy) I'll have to see about finding space to get some driver #'s. I'm curious about what the PED swing #'s look like. Today was just an impromptu test. 

[GolfSpy SAM]

1 minute ago, azstu324 said:

 

Jinx!!

Yeah I'm at D2 now. It's honestly the best feeling shaft I've EVER played. 

Now that I've got me a Mevo (little guy) I'll have to see about finding space to get some driver #'s. I'm curious about what the PED swing #'s look like. Today was just an impromptu test. 

Alright - next purchase is for sure the PLB with PXG tip.  Dammit! I just have to know how it differs from my CB Riptide.  (But first, I have to build my TS-3 6/9 iron to test   We must have priorities...)

[GolfSpy SAM]

7 minutes ago, azstu324 said:

 

Jinx!!

Yeah I'm at D2 now. It's honestly the best feeling shaft I've EVER played. 

Now that I've got me a Mevo (little guy) I'll have to see about finding space to get some driver #'s. I'm curious about what the PED swing #'s look like. Today was just an impromptu test. 

Follow-up question: how did you change the swing-weight? I mean...you added weight somewhere, but...where? 

[azstu324]

4 minutes ago, GolfSpy_SAM said:

Follow-up question: how did you change the swing-weight? I mean...you added weight somewhere, but...where? 

 

[azstu324]

2 minutes ago, azstu324 said:

 

So specifically with the PXG weights, there's just enough room underneath the 7.5g's to pack about 3g of lead tape i.e. 1.5 swing weights. 

[DukeStKing]

55 minutes ago, azstu324 said:

Ooohh ahhh

What OP shaft do you have in store for this one?

 

Of course the Grafalloy PL 45… the tried and true blue! 

[azstu324]

19 minutes ago, GolfSpy_SAM said:

build my TS-3 6/9

I know it's another topic for another thread.. but this is my thread and so is that "other" thread so I'll do what I want

Have you gotten those in yet? I'm REALLY thinking about buying a set.. but feel like patience may reward me by waiting for the other models to drop. 

[GolfSpy SAM]

24 minutes ago, azstu324 said:

I know it's another topic for another thread.. but this is my thread and so is that "other" thread so I'll do what I want

Have you gotten those in yet? I'm REALLY thinking about buying a set.. but feel like patience may reward me by waiting for the other models to drop. 

They should be here Wednesday.  I'm HOPING to get them done that night (unlikely, but I can dream) so that they're done curing for Friday's round/practice, whatever I can get in that day.  I'm genuinely excited to do the whole thing - build them, but then even just to have them in-hand to see if it's worth my attempting to play them.  I've been dreaming about buttery contact for weeks, lol. 

31 minutes ago, azstu324 said:

So specifically with the PXG weights, there's just enough room underneath the 7.5g's to pack about 3g of lead tape i.e. 1.5 swing weights. 

...are you suggesting you take the weights out of the ports, fill the ports with tape, and then put the weights back IN? Or, like, you put tape on the bottom of the driver like a normal person? 

[azstu324]

5 minutes ago, GolfSpy_SAM said:

They should be here Wednesday.  I'm HOPING to get them done that night (unlikely, but I can dream) so that they're done curing for Friday's round/practice, whatever I can get in that day.  I'm genuinely excited to do the whole thing - build them, but then even just to have them in-hand to see if it's worth my attempting to play them.  I've been dreaming about buttery contact for weeks, lol. 

...are you suggesting you take the weights out of the ports, fill the ports with tape, and then put the weights back IN? Or, like, you put tape on the bottom of the driver like a normal person? 

When you can hide it, do it! Yeah just take the weights out. They're meant to be removed. 

[Bang60]

2 hours ago, azstu324 said:

Been minute since I posted in my own thread

Today I discovered an extra gear in the Garafalloy PLB.. I think.

Until today I haven't really been trying to launch too high as the shaft seems to do that automatically. Today I Really tried to focus on hitting up and turning up the juice a little.. but in a controlled manner. Holy snot the ball just never seemed to fall out of the sky. I hit 2 shots on a hole just to compare. One more normal, and one with "the sauce". Both middle of the fairway. I got to the first one and couldn't see the 2nd anywhere even though it was on a similar line. I thought maybe it hit a sprinkler and took a wild bounce. Well it ended up being about 30 yds further down the fairway and a difference between a 8 iron and a PW to the green. 

Now . I'm not sure that I can sustain the swing needed to make that drive on a regular basis, but it's sure cool to know that the shaft is just THAT stable. 

I’m going to try to manipulate the 3 identical Bassara shafts I’ve got with titleist adapters, I’m thinking a lighter grip and lead tape on the head. What else would you suggest? I’ll leave the one I’ve been using as is and make the other two the test dummies lol…

[Tsc]

azstu324 which shaft and it's setup are you using in your 3 wood? I have the PLB 45 in my G430 LST and it's working great and now want to work on the 3 wood. I have an extra PLB 45 shaft but thinking this would not be a good fit for the G410 3 wood.

[azstu324]

1 hour ago, Tsc said:

azstu324 which shaft and it's setup are you using in your 3 wood? I have the PLB 45 in my G430 LST and it's working great and now want to work on the 3 wood. I have an extra PLB 45 shaft but thinking this would not be a good fit for the G410 3 wood.

Some of us have used the Garafalloy GWX sold through Golfworks and are having really good success. 

It's about 10g heavier as a 3 wood shaft would normally be. Feels very similar to the driver but I feel it accommodates the heavier head a little better. 

[carter18]

3 hours ago, azstu324 said:

Some of us have used the Garafalloy GWX sold through Golfworks and are having really good success. 

It's about 10g heavier as a 3 wood shaft would normally be. Feels very similar to the driver but I feel it accommodates the heavier head a little better. 

@Tsc I second the GWX. It also is a really clean looking shaft!

[Tsc]

On 2/28/2023 at 9:11 AM, azstu324 said:

Some of us have used the Garafalloy GWX sold through Golfworks and are having really good success. 

It's about 10g heavier as a 3 wood shaft would normally be. Feels very similar to the driver but I feel it accommodates the heavier head a little better. 

I just checked out Golf Works for the GWX shaft. I am using the PLB 45 gram Senior (A) flex in the driver, I figure the 55 gram weight and what flex do you recommend for the GWX in a 3 wood?

 

[azstu324]

1 hour ago, Tsc said:

I just checked out Golf Works for the GWX shaft. I am using the PLB 45 gram Senior (A) flex in the driver, I figure the 55 gram weight and what flex do you recommend for the GWX in a 3 wood?

 

Same flex. I'm using A in both driver and 3 wood with great results and a similar feel between the 2. 

[IndyBonzo]

Following up on my post earlier about my experiences.  I have thus far tried two OP shafts, the first a Fuji Motore F3 55-R (the OG shaft from the MrShortGame vid) and a PLB 40-L, both at 46" with my Rogue ST Max LS.  I currently game a MotoreX F1 7-S.

First, I cannot hit the L shaft worth a crap.  Too flippy.

The Motore F3 55-R is a different story.  I have to swing it differently, of course, but I can hit it.  It's very spinny, however - like double the spin of my MotoreX F1 7-S.  I am not getting any extra distance from it yet, either.  That said, I am going to cut it down to 45" and play at different swing weights (I bough a heavier insert for the Rogue) and lofts, etc., and work on the correct tempo, and see what I can accomplish.  It seems like there may be more in there waiting to be let loose if I can tame the tempo and groove in a good swing.

This has been a fun experiment nonetheless.  More to come!

[azstu324]

2 hours ago, IndyBonzo said:

Following up on my post earlier about my experiences.  I have thus far tried two OP shafts, the first a Fuji Motore F3 55-R (the OG shaft from the MrShortGame vid) and a PLB 40-L, both at 46" with my Rogue ST Max LS.  I currently game a MotoreX F1 7-S.

First, I cannot hit the L shaft worth a crap.  Too flippy.

The Motore F3 55-R is a different story.  I have to swing it differently, of course, but I can hit it.  It's very spinny, however - like double the spin of my MotoreX F1 7-S.  I am not getting any extra distance from it yet, either.  That said, I am going to cut it down to 45" and play at different swing weights (I bough a heavier insert for the Rogue) and lofts, etc., and work on the correct tempo, and see what I can accomplish.  It seems like there may be more in there waiting to be let loose if I can tame the tempo and groove in a good swing.

This has been a fun experiment nonetheless.  More to come!

Coming from a 7s I probably would have recommended going A flex on the PLB. I played the F1 6X for 2 years and tried a 7S for kicks. IMO it almost felt stiffer than the 6X. Probably wasn't but just the feeling of the extra weight. The A flex feels like the perfect mix of flex with crazy stability. If anything, use the L as a swing tempo trainer like a really nice Lagshot 

You may have mentioned it earlier, but what is the SW and loft that you're using? 

 

[Kansas King]

I'm glad to see this topic blew up. I remember being curious if a cheap and light shaft would have similar results to the AF shafts and it turns out they aren't far off. 

The ultimate issue with fitting light shafts is the fitting itself. It either takes a lot of trial and error or a lot of time on a launch monitor.

My other question is on the consistency of performance from day to day. I know for a lot of us hacks, even single digit handicap hacks, that our swings and tempos change day to day and I'm curious about the long-term results with light shafts. My fear would be hitting straight bombs one day then having something change and fighting spinny drives then next day or week. Perhaps that isn't an issue with the light shafts or perhaps because they're lighter and more flexible, they're easier to dial in. 

I'm just curious on what people's thoughts are so far with the PO or AF shafts that have used them for a while. Do they make the driver temperamental? 

[IndyBonzo]

52 minutes ago, azstu324 said:

You may have mentioned it earlier, but what is the SW and loft that you're using? 

 

For the Motore F1 OP, I started at D0 and moved to D2 with the additional weight.  When I shorten the shaft it will be around D1 I imagine.  8* Rogue ST Max LS head, hitting at 7* and going plenty high/spinny.  I also have a 7.5* Epic Max LS I can try.

[azstu324]

1 hour ago, Kansas King said:

I'm glad to see this topic blew up. I remember being curious if a cheap and light shaft would have similar results to the AF shafts and it turns out they aren't far off. 

The ultimate issue with fitting light shafts is the fitting itself. It either takes a lot of trial and error or a lot of time on a launch monitor.

My other question is on the consistency of performance from day to day. I know for a lot of us hacks, even single digit handicap hacks, that our swings and tempos change day to day and I'm curious about the long-term results with light shafts. My fear would be hitting straight bombs one day then having something change and fighting spinny drives then next day or week. Perhaps that isn't an issue with the light shafts or perhaps because they're lighter and more flexible, they're easier to dial in. 

I'm just curious on what people's thoughts are so far with the PO or AF shafts that have used them for a while. Do they make the driver temperamental? 

So far I'm using mine going on 5 months and honestly can't think of using another shaft. If my swing gets a little wild, I've got enough gathered data to tell me that I'M the temperamental factor in the equation and that I need to pull it together. 

"easier to dial in" definitely plays a part. When things are off, it seems easier to reel them back in rather than spend the round trying to figure out what's off. 

[Bang60]

9 hours ago, azstu324 said:

So far I'm using mine going on 5 months and honestly can't think of using another shaft. If my swing gets a little wild, I've got enough gathered data to tell me that I'M the temperamental factor in the equation and that I need to pull it together. 

"easier to dial in" definitely plays a part. When things are off, it seems easier to reel them back in rather than spend the round trying to figure out what's off. 

Ditto...

[jonbob]

So I recently stumbled into this light flex light weight shaft talk.  I have been absolutely floored with the results.  Using TM tuned 45 in Rougue triple diamond and M6 3w

Has anybody experimented with irons?  Currently fitted into Project x io 6.0, and I am fond of them, but I just love the feel in my woods of a nice tempo swing.

I am probably going to build a 7 iron to test, but just wondering If anybody had some good results with a particular model…or if it’s problematic with turf interaction or build or something.

 

 

[azstu324]

46 minutes ago, jonbob said:

So I recently stumbled into this light flex light weight shaft talk.  I have been absolutely floored with the results.  Using TM tuned 45 in Rougue triple diamond and M6 3w

Has anybody experimented with irons?  Currently fitted into Project x io 6.0, and I am fond of them, but I just love the feel in my woods of a nice tempo swing.

I am probably going to build a 7 iron to test, but just wondering If anybody had some good results with a particular model…or if it’s problematic with turf interaction or build or something.

 

 

I'm currently testing a set of the new Nippon 850 Neo shafts. The lightest flex they offer is R but I built the set soft-stepped so supposedly they are between A-R according to Nippon's frequency labeling. 

We're still not fully off the ground with the MGS Nippon testing but so far my findings have been really interesting. Some things are somewhat unexpected, and some are exactly what I'd hoped for..

[Bang60]

7 hours ago, jonbob said:

So I recently stumbled into this light flex light weight shaft talk.  I have been absolutely floored with the results.  Using TM tuned 45 in Rougue triple diamond and M6 3w

Has anybody experimented with irons?  Currently fitted into Project x io 6.0, and I am fond of them, but I just love the feel in my woods of a nice tempo swing.

I am probably going to build a 7 iron to test, but just wondering If anybody had some good results with a particular model…or if it’s problematic with turf interaction or build or something.

 

 

I’m using ladies flex graphite shafts in mizuno irons, which surprise me how good they are. I bought an old set of mizuno irons $150 just to get the shafts and then remove the shafts and fit them into my mizuno mp32 and mp57 heads them…