Testers Announced: Newton Driver Shafts

[IndyBonzo]

Congratulations Testers!  What a great group!

[Josh Parker]

10 hours ago, cksurfdude said:

Hey everyone -- my Intro section has been added above; please see...

 

Quick playing update - played 9 today; 6 driver shots (hybrid off #9) .. two left misses; one ran through the dogleg into the right rough; and 3 good shots against a light breeze of 200, 205, 210 all near enough to the center of the fairways. So 50% with good dispersion.

 

Great intro!  Looking forward to seeing what they fit you in to and how it performs. Have loved mine. 

[cksurfdude]

1 hour ago, Josh Parker said:

Great intro!  Looking forward to seeing what they fit you in to and how it performs. Have loved mine. 

Thx!! Right now based on what I've been hitting, I'm thinking if I'm in-between two different dots I'm leaning towards the lower one. But TBD based on the fitting conversation!

[Josh Parker]

6 minutes ago, cksurfdude said:

Thx!! Right now based on what I've been hitting, I'm thinking if I'm in-between two different dots I'm leaning towards the lower one. But TBD based on the fitting conversation!

Yeah, I'm excited most for the fitting conversation feedback.  They were great for the Sacks putters. 

[Rob Person]

Really interested in how well the phone fitting  vs an in person fitting turns out

I realize the process will be quite a bit.more drawn out over a lengthy time. 

What are the options if the shaft isn't right for you?

[cksurfdude]

1 hour ago, Rob Person said:

What are the options if the shaft isn't right for you?

I do plan to ask a similar question during the fitting. Based on other members experiences with Newton they seem willing to swap for a different Dot.

[funkyjudge]

I didn’t sign up to be considered for this test for two reasons:

1. I have been very fortunate to have been selected for two significant test opportunities (one, a very major equipment test), plus a Titleist ball test since the spring of 2023.
2. I already have two Newton Motion shafts (a 4-dot driver shaft, and a heavier 4-dot fairway shaft) installed in two clubs that are regularly in my bag and heavily used in most every round of golf that I play.

Those who have read my comments in the Newton shaft discussion thread(s) here know that I very much like these shafts, particularly the driver shaft. I’ve gotten very good results with the Newton Motion shafts and have found that both distance and accuracy have improved by a fairly significant amount with these shafts in my Callaway AI Smoke driver and Titleist TSR 4-wood (formerly in a Callaway Paradym 4-wood).

I will be following this testing thread closely and with great interest to see if the testers experience similar types of results to what I have seen over the last ten months.

[Erin B]

@cksurfdude I really enjoyed your intro!!! I can't wait to read more. 

[Erin B]

3 hours ago, Rob Person said:

Really interested in how well the phone fitting  vs an in person fitting turns out

I realize the process will be quite a bit.more drawn out over a lengthy time. 

What are the options if the shaft isn't right for you?

 

2 hours ago, cksurfdude said:

I do plan to ask a similar question during the fitting. Based on other members experiences with Newton they seem willing to swap for a different Dot.

My experience with the Newton folks was exemplary. I think I was their first customer that they had to tip a shaft for. It has been my experience that they want a satisfied customer more so than anything else. 

[ILMgolfnut]

2 hours ago, cksurfdude said:

they seem willing to swap for a different Dot.

That's what they told me when I was considering a Newton purchase: Try the 2, if that doesn't work, send it back for a 3.

[cksurfdude]

27 minutes ago, ILMgolfnut said:

That's what they told me when I was considering a Newton purchase: Try the 2, if that doesn't work, send it back for a 3.

That's awesome! Curious to see where we start out / end up at!!

[cksurfdude]

This is decidedly underwhelming (and embarrassing) and was more of a first test of the SC4...

..and here's my list of golf excuses - was feeling a little extra stiff and sore that day; was not feeling it in my swing; old beater range balls; hitting off a low tee stuck in the range mat; the sun was in my eyes and it was hot/cold/windy/calm/noisy/....

So actually not really concerned about the actual numbers but just that on a given day I'll be able to get a meaningful comparison between the GPLB and the Newton. TBD!

[Vernest]

On 10/2/2024 at 1:39 AM, GolfSpy_APH said:

The Newton Motion Driver Shaft is designed for golfers seeking improved distance, stability, and control. Built using advanced materials and a proprietary design, this shaft enhances energy transfer while optimizing launch and spin. The shaft is engineered for stability during impact, helping golfers reduce dispersion and increase consistency off the tee. Newton claims the Motion Driver Shaft can provide a smooth, responsive feel that suits a wide range of swing types and speeds.

Key Features of the Motion Driver Shaft:

Optimized Energy Transfer: Designed to increase distance and launch with enhanced control.

Stability Through Impact: Reduces twisting at impact, leading to more accurate shots and less dispersion.

Custom Fitting: Each tester will receive a personalized virtual fitting session with Newton’s head of R&D, ensuring the shaft is tailored to your specific swing dynamics.

High-End Materials: Uses premium carbon fiber materials for increased durability and performance.

What They will be Testing?

Selected testers will receive a Newton Motion Driver Shaft, complete with tip and grip, based on a virtual fitting session. You will assess the performance of the shaft in terms of increased distance, launch control, stability, and feel. Testers will provide in-depth feedback on whether the shaft meets Newton's performance claims and improves overall driving performance.

Please welcome and congratulate our testers!

@ZJeb67 

@tdroma98 

@cksurfdude 

@ILMgolfnut

Congratulations 

[Josh Parker]

9 hours ago, cksurfdude said:

This is decidedly underwhelming (and embarrassing) and was more of a first test of the SC4...

..and here's my list of golf excuses - was feeling a little extra stiff and sore that day; was not feeling it in my swing; old beater range balls; hitting off a low tee stuck in the range mat; the sun was in my eyes and it was hot/cold/windy/calm/noisy/....

So actually not really concerned about the actual numbers but just that on a given day I'll be able to get a meaningful comparison between the GPLB and the Newton. TBD!

I'll take that dispersion anyday!  

 

[cksurfdude]

2 hours ago, Josh Parker said:

I'll take that dispersion anyday!

Haha they didn't go far but at least they went straight in front of me! Which is a bit unusual looking back at it - there should be at least one low pull and one high push...

Anyway more testing on the way!

[DougJ]

On 10/2/2024 at 8:24 AM, DougJ said:

I’m really forward to your evaluation.

im deciding to keep TM head (great sound) and upgrade shaft or start the journey from the ground (tee box) up

have fun

Jeff

any update yet?

and what head are you adding to the driver shaft?

DougJ

[MattWillGolf]

I’m late to this announcement. Congratulations testers. It’s always nice to see a lot of familiar folks in the tester group. Newton shafts have definitely caught my attention and am looking forward to following this test. 

[cksurfdude]

29 minutes ago, MattWillGolf said:

I’m late to this announcement. Congratulations testers. It’s always nice to see a lot of familiar folks in the tester group. Newton shafts have definitely caught my attention and am looking forward to following this test. 

Thx!! Looking forward to it, too! At least two of us hope to get the virtual fitting done this coming week... Stay tuned

[ILMgolfnut]

On 10/12/2024 at 9:44 AM, DougJ said:

Jeff

any update yet?

and what head are you adding to the driver shaft?

DougJ

Assuming that I'm the Jeff you meant, I just got off the Zoom call with Aki for the fitting. He had me measure my current Mizuno ST-X gamer (45") and got the specs from my current shaft (Diamana Red 50 grams x5ct, regular flex). He also referred to what he saw on my swing video (I get in some good positions and am able to load the shaft reasonably well). He said the Diamana tends to give more of a kick at the tip while the Newton flexes more along the length of the shaft, and this should allow me to control the club a little better plus give me some more distance. 

And get this: Because I'm right on the borderline between 2-dot and 3-dot, he's sending me both! So I can switch the Mizuno back and forth in testing, as well as direct comparisons with the Diamana Red, and see which one is best! They should be shipped this afternoon or tomorrow. I'm getting them gripped here because I like Winn grips, so after that happens, let the testing begin!

Edited Monday at 01:46 PM by ILMgolfnut

[cksurfdude]

22 minutes ago, ILMgolfnut said:

And get this: Because I'm right on the borderline between 2-dot and 3-dot, he's sending me both!

Very nice! I was going to ask the same thing

Played yesterday and had my wife capture some swing vids on the tee. She did a good job but the most clear ones happened to be the worst swings

.. but which I've decided to send to Aki as they show my current bad miss, which is a low left pull (that goes short and into the rough).

[ILMgolfnut]

1 minute ago, cksurfdude said:

Very nice! I was going to ask the same thing

Played yesterday and had my wife capture some swing vids on the tee. She did a good job but the most clear ones happened to be the worst swings

.. but which I've decided to send to Aki as they show my current bad miss, which is a low left pull (that goes short and into the rough).

The swing videos I sent were in the backyard with no ball, which he said was a little bit of an issue, but he could see what I was doing.

[Josh Parker]

39 minutes ago, ILMgolfnut said:

And get this: Because I'm right on the borderline between 2-dot and 3-dot, he's sending me both! So I can switch the Mizuno back and forth in testing, as well as direct comparisons with the Diamana Red, and see which one is best! They should be shipped this afternoon or tomorrow. I'm getting them gripped here because I like Winn grips, so after that happens, let the testing begin!

Newtons CS is amazing!  They did that for several folks on the forum that have played them.  I started off in a 4 and sent it back for a 5 after playing a few rounds.

Looking forward to seeing how these do for the testers!

[DougJ]

50 minutes ago, ILMgolfnut said:

Assuming that I'm the Jeff you meant, I just got off the Zoom call with Aki for the fitting. He had me measure my current Mizuno ST-X gamer (45") and got the specs from my current shaft (Diamana Red 50 grams x5ct, regular flex). He also referred to what he saw on my swing video (I get in some good positions and am able to load the shaft reasonably well). He said the Diamana tends to give more of a kick at the tip while the Newton flexes more along the length of the shaft, and this should allow me to control the club a little better plus give me some more distance. 

And get this: Because I'm right on the borderline between 2-dot and 3-dot, he's sending me both! So I can switch the Mizuno back and forth in testing, as well as direct comparisons with the Diamana Red, and see which one is best! They should be shipped this afternoon or tomorrow. I'm getting them gripped here because I like Winn grips, so after that happens, let the testing begin!

Thanks for update.

and yes, you are the same Jeff

Hope the journey goes well

[cksurfdude]

Driver shaft review preview.
So I've been on a bit of my own driver shaft testing this season - actually started last season when I got caught up in the "Otto-Phlex Experiment". For those not familiar, "Otto-Phlex" (O-P) is @azstu324 wordplay on AutoFlex; the idea being to find a more reasonably priced shaft whose profile may be alike enough to the original AutoFlex. That is - can you add distance, and still keep the ball in control, with a lighter weight and softer flex .. and affordable (even sub-$100 in some cases) .. shaft?

I'd been using 50-55ish gram Regular driver shafts but after reading through the O-P thread and then trialing an old L flex shaft at the range, I picked up a Grafalloy Pro Launch Blue 45/A .. and love it!

However... yep, the plot thickens...

• Last season I was able to participate in a driver test and for that we were allowed to select any of the no upcharge shaft options subsequent to a fitting. Between a short list of what was available .. cross-referenced with what the fitter had in stock, then subsequently recommended to me .. I ended up with the Mitsubishu Kai 'Li Blue 50/R
• This season I'd picked up a like new driver on sale with an Aldila Ascent PL Blue 40/A (which was on my initial short list but was n/a at the fitter)
• Also earlier this season I jumped in on the Callaway 2X Trade-In and picked up the new AI Smoke Max with a Tensei AV Blue 55/R (have a Tensei CK Blue in my 7W)
• Previously I'd bought a UST Pro Force V2 HL 5F3 as I had been using this shaft in old Bertha Mini which used to be my "driver" (see next section on selection process)

So yeah five (hey club 'ho gonna 'ho) good driver shafts competing for my attention!
 

Unnecessary tech nerd detour.
GolfWorks / Ralph Malty have developed techniques for measuring iron heads and golf shafts and publish their findings on their site under "MPF" or Maltby Playability Factor. Shafts are categorized with a 4-character code made up from...

On their site is a quick selector tool to "Find a golf shaft to match your game" (https://www.golfworks.com/find-a-golf-shaft-to-match-your-game/) ...

..then you can look at the latest ratings tables (https://www.golfworks.com/shaft-mpf-ratings/) by category to find all the tested shafts (note not every shaft - e.g. Newton Motion - is in there yet).

In the section for "2B3M" currently is only one entry = Maltby MPF Pro Series Fairway. However if I change the "B" (for "Both" Distance and Control") to a "D" are - Cypher 2.0; G-Tech; KBS TD 50 and 60; and the ProForce V2 HL in A flex.

So for the five shafts listed above...

• GPLB 45/A = 2D2S .. which is interesting as True Temper (maker of Grafalloy) lists it as "High" trajectory (which would be "3" for the third character) and which coincides with what I see for ball flight. As for the "S" slice correction, not sure; I've been working on my swing to reduce the slice and my most common miss now is a left pull, so .. is it the shaft?
• Ascent PL Blue, Kai 'Li Blue, Tensei AV Blue all currently N/A.
• ProForce V2 HL 55 in F3/R = 3B3M ... which would be the next faster swing speed vs the leading "2" I'd initially selected.

Quick takes on the five shafts.
Just my comments on feel and observations of ball flights at the range (switching shafts in the same driver head; no LM)...

• Aldila Ascent PL Blue - smooth response, steady feel. Nice solid ball flight and I can swing it relatively hard and still feel in control - ie good downrange dispersion. Really like this shaft, played it end of last season and most of this season. #2 on the list.
• MCA Kai 'Li Blue - light feel and very active tip helps launch the ball. Last season that was a quality I was looking for but now it feels a bit "loose" to me. Could be re-examined in the future.
• Tensei AV Blue - very different from the CK series I have in my 7W. Even at 55g felt heavier and less responsive to me. Good control, but demoted down the list.
• UST ProForce V2 HL - loved this shaft in the old Bertha Mini, really made it come alive! Not sure about it in the driver, though, while i had some of the longest carries with it I also noticed a wider dispersion on mis-hits. May be the current #3 choice.
• Grafalloy ProLaunch Blue - just feels easy to swing and also feels like it helps me, at my moderate swing speed, to get the ball airborne and flying. 

Obviously these all should be compared on the same day, or preferably days, and with a launch monitor to help discern actual differences. Maybe a future project...

For now the GPLB is in play and the one that the Newton has to unseat.

..unless i go back to the Ascent

...

@ZJeb67 love Black Labs!!!

Scout on the left we adopted when he was almost 7. As you can see he just llooovved Jax our Flat-Coated Retriever!

...

@tdroma98 congrats on escaping lawn-guyland!