30 replies to this topic

[freddyottawa]

Hi all,

This off season i'm looking at the possibility of switching from DGS 300's to graphite in my irons. Why? Well it's a long winter, so i'm looking to experiment here I've played S300's for quite some time and I really like the weight of them, one of the reasons I have played them for as long as I have. My interest has definitely been piqued recently by reviews on these forums, such as the Aldila Prototypes that Markheardjr wrote up a great review for and the program shafts that awalkspoiled amongst others have commented on numerous times.

I just picked some brand new MP 53 heads, so i'm looking at what people have had success with as far as heavier graphite goes. The steel fiber 125's are on my radar and I have a H4 2 iron on the way with a Program 130 in it. I really liked the program 130's when I hit them, so they are a strong possibility for purchase.

So, what other heavier graphite shafts have you had success with?

Also, did you switch to graphite in your wedges also, or did you stick with steel?

I don't want to turn this into a steel vs graphite thread or the price of steel vs graphite, this has already been well documented in other threads.

[OrangeCrush]

I have a demo 6i of the i125's.  I really like the weight of them.  I also tinkering with the Aldila MlTi 130gr in my 9i as well.  That is a heavy shaft for sure.  Of the 2 I like the feel/balance of the Aerotech better.  I had a connection thru an Aerotech dealer who got me a demo 6i,  see if you can get one as well.   I also have a Matrix MFS-115 in a demo 6i as well.  S2 flex is 117gr.  They are listed as a low launch/low spin and run $45-50.  I have tried to test as many of the heavy shafts as my wallet can afford.

The Program 130 is a light heavy shaft.  They are only 114-115gr.  At that weight you could also look at the Fujikura i115 but they are very expensive ($125 ish each).  So I guess comes down to what 100% you are looking for.  I was able to try the Program 130 in several Mizuno heads and I really liked the feel as well. For ME I want dampening not light weight.

[freddyottawa]

 OrangeCrush, on 20 November 2012 - 08:54 PM, said:

I have a demo 6i of the i125's.  I really like the weight of them.  I also tinkering with the Aldila MlTi 130gr in my 9i as well.  That is a heavy shaft for sure.  Of the 2 I like the feel/balance of the Aerotech better.  I had a connection thru an Aerotech dealer who got me a demo 6i,  see if you can get one as well.   I also have a Matrix MFS-115 in a demo 6i as well.  S2 flex is 117gr.  They are listed as a low launch/low spin and run $45-50.  I have tried to test as many of the heavy shafts as my wallet can afford.

The Program 130 is a light heavy shaft.  They are only 114-115gr.  At that weight you could also look at the Fujikura i115 but they are very expensive ($125 ish each).  So I guess comes down to what 100% you are looking for.  I was able to try the Program 130 in several Mizuno heads and I really liked the feel as well. For ME I want dampening not light weight.

Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated.

I will definitely be looking to demo the shafts before dropping any considerable amount of money on a full set. You gave me some suggestions I also hadn't thought of, so thanks for that also. I tried the program 130 from the fitting cart in the MP-53 6 iron and it did feel fantastic. The upcharge isn't all that bad for the shaft, but as I already have the heads, I'll be looking aftermarket.

Like you, i'm not looking for light weight. I went with the program 130 in the H4 as it's going to be more of a driving iron like club, so I was looking for it to be a little lighter than the rest of my irons. Generally, the heavier the shaft in my irons, the better. I'm not looking to pickup any yardage, that is not really my motive at this point, though I really like the dampening properties that graphite can provide.

Edited by freddyottawa, 20 November 2012 - 09:06 PM.

[OrangeCrush]

If you want to try an experiment that won't cost that much money,  check out the G Loomis Tour shafts.  They are 121gr and are $13.00 each.  Aldila acquired G Loomis golf,  back in the day Davis Love III used this iron shaft.

The 825 PRO's are on my VERY tight radar and I just priced them out with the Program 130's.  Might be worth getting them since the upcharge is not too bad.  Hell spending the extra $300 for a 7 club set.  They sell for $650 so you could pull them and sell them for the upcharge cost maybe more.

If you were in the States I would offer to mail you my demo iron with the i125 to try out but the shipping to Canada is too much of a pain.

[freddyottawa]

If the program 130's are the ones I end up going with, I might just do what you said. I'm pretty sure you can still order the 53's, so I could order them with the programs and then just sell the 53's I have now. I'm going to see what else I can get my hands on first though to try before making that decision.

Thanks again for your insight.

[UST Mamiya]

 freddyottawa, on 20 November 2012 - 09:58 PM, said:

If the program 130's are the ones I end up going with, I might just do what you said. I'm pretty sure you can still order the 53's, so I could order them with the programs and then just sell the 53's I have now. I'm going to see what else I can get my hands on first though to try before making that decision.

Thanks again for your insight.

freddyottawa - take a look at our recoil Prototype 125. They are constant weight, tapered design so will play true to weight. Feedback from tour players to amateurs have been nothing but positive. The feel is incredible and they are able to control trajectory like any shaft on the market. We are just adding fuel to the fire...

[3eagles18]

Hi UST. I've been playing the OEM 65g in my R11 irons but hit the ball too high for windy Texas. I'm thinking of reshafting to the Aerotech Steelfibers, 80g. Steel is not an alternative due to shoulder surgeries; I'm 64 and 7i is 150 yards. I'm not concerned about distance; accuracy is my game. Any recommendations? BTW, I was recently fitted and bought the UST VTS for my driver. So far so good.

[inpresX]

You shouldn't go all graphite just yet since you're used to steel. Start with the long irons first. I have graphite on 6 iron and up, and steel 7 iron down.

[freddyottawa]

 UST Mamiya, on 21 November 2012 - 09:47 AM, said:

 freddyottawa, on 20 November 2012 - 09:58 PM, said:

If the program 130's are the ones I end up going with, I might just do what you said. I'm pretty sure you can still order the 53's, so I could order them with the programs and then just sell the 53's I have now. I'm going to see what else I can get my hands on first though to try before making that decision.

Thanks again for your insight.

freddyottawa - take a look at our recoil Prototype 125. They are constant weight, tapered design so will play true to weight. Feedback from tour players to amateurs have been nothing but positive. The feel is incredible and they are able to control trajectory like any shaft on the market. We are just adding fuel to the fire...

They are definitely on my radar! Are they available yet though? I read the press release on them and it gave the impression that the prototypes wouldn't be available until early next year.

Edit: I don't know where I got that info, I see they are available now

Is golfworks considered a TourSPX dealer? I see them listed on your site as a retailer. Would they have these to try?

Edited by freddyottawa, 21 November 2012 - 08:24 PM.

[freddyottawa]

 inpresX, on 21 November 2012 - 11:59 AM, said:

You shouldn't go all graphite just yet since you're used to steel. Start with the long irons first. I have graphite on 6 iron and up, and steel 7 iron down.

Interesting. What shafts are you using in graphite and steel with that setup?

[inpresX]

I have Nickent Level 5ive 80 gram X flex shafts in my 5, 6 irons which I got from ebay for cheap. My 7-AW is NS Pro 950GH. I am more of a lightweight iron shaft player, but going to 80 gram graphite has allowed me to make the irons 1/2 inch longer and I have gained noticeable swingspeed and distance.

[inpresX]

I also wanted to mention that I did not tip the Nickent shaft in the 5 iron, and 1/2" for the 6 iron. This would mean its soft-stepped 2 steps to play closer to an S flex. My 950GH is S flex.

[OrangeCrush]

 UST Mamiya, on 21 November 2012 - 09:47 AM, said:

 freddyottawa, on 20 November 2012 - 09:58 PM, said:

If the program 130's are the ones I end up going with, I might just do what you said. I'm pretty sure you can still order the 53's, so I could order them with the programs and then just sell the 53's I have now. I'm going to see what else I can get my hands on first though to try before making that decision.

Thanks again for your insight.

freddyottawa - take a look at our recoil Prototype 125. They are constant weight, tapered design so will play true to weight. Feedback from tour players to amateurs have been nothing but positive. The feel is incredible and they are able to control trajectory like any shaft on the market. We are just adding fuel to the fire...

oooops I forgot those as well.  I have these on my radar as well.

[craz-e]

Went from s300's to the matrix ozik program 130 HD shafts and have had great results. I would be happy playing either shafts as I love the feel of both

[freddyottawa]

 craz-e, on 22 November 2012 - 04:45 AM, said:

Went from s300's to the matrix ozik program 130 HD shafts and have had great results. I would be happy playing either shafts as I love the feel of both

What was the difference in ball flight for you going from the S300 to the Programs? I'll be switching from the S300's too, so i'm very interested in knowing your experience.

[craz-e]

 freddyottawa, on 22 November 2012 - 07:51 PM, said:

 craz-e, on 22 November 2012 - 04:45 AM, said:

Went from s300's to the matrix ozik program 130 HD shafts and have had great results. I would be happy playing either shafts as I love the feel of both

What was the difference in ball flight for you going from the S300 to the Programs? I'll be switching from the S300's too, so i'm very interested in knowing your experience.

I found the flight to be higher with similar spin levels, flight is very controllable though and I have no problems hitting low stingers into the wind or shaping shots.

[That Bob Guy]

 freddyottawa, on 21 November 2012 - 12:03 PM, said:

 UST Mamiya, on 21 November 2012 - 09:47 AM, said:

 freddyottawa, on 20 November 2012 - 09:58 PM, said:

If the program 130's are the ones I end up going with, I might just do what you said. I'm pretty sure you can still order the 53's, so I could order them with the programs and then just sell the 53's I have now. I'm going to see what else I can get my hands on first though to try before making that decision.

Thanks again for your insight.

freddyottawa - take a look at our recoil Prototype 125. They are constant weight, tapered design so will play true to weight. Feedback from tour players to amateurs have been nothing but positive. The feel is incredible and they are able to control trajectory like any shaft on the market. We are just adding fuel to the fire...

They are definitely on my radar! Are they available yet though? I read the press release on them and it gave the impression that the prototypes wouldn't be available until early next year.

Edit: I don't know where I got that info, I see they are available now

Is golfworks considered a TourSPX dealer? I see them listed on your site as a retailer. Would they have these to try?

Freddy,
Do you get all your shafts from Golfworks there in Ottawa? I've been getting mine there. Is Greg MacMillan still there?
I'm playing PX graphites in my JPX Pro's. 4.5 in the longer irons, and 5.0 in the wedges. I've only got a dozen or so games
in with them, but after being used to TT Dynalite Gold XP's in my first 800's, they sure feel boardy to me. They may be too much
for me and my languid swing. So, I'm in the market for a change.

[freddyottawa]

Thanks for the feedback Craz-e. I'm looking forward to receiving and trying the H4 I ordered with the program in it.

TheBobGuy - I have bought a few shafts from Golfworks here over the years, but I don't know the staff well enough, so i'm not sure if Greg is still there unfortunately.

Edited by freddyottawa, 23 November 2012 - 07:49 AM.

[That Bob Guy]

 freddyottawa, on 23 November 2012 - 07:48 AM, said:

Thanks for the feedback Craz-e. I'm looking forward to receiving and trying the H4 I ordered with the program in it.

TheBobGuy - I have bought a few shafts from Golfworks here over the years, but I don't know the staff well enough, so i'm not sure if Greg is still there unfortunately.

Is there a place around there, where you get the majority of your shafts?

[Break68]

 TheBobGuy, on 23 November 2012 - 07:35 AM, said:

 freddyottawa, on 21 November 2012 - 12:03 PM, said:

 UST Mamiya, on 21 November 2012 - 09:47 AM, said:

 freddyottawa, on 20 November 2012 - 09:58 PM, said:

If the program 130's are the ones I end up going with, I might just do what you said. I'm pretty sure you can still order the 53's, so I could order them with the programs and then just sell the 53's I have now. I'm going to see what else I can get my hands on first though to try before making that decision.

Thanks again for your insight.

freddyottawa - take a look at our recoil Prototype 125. They are constant weight, tapered design so will play true to weight. Feedback from tour players to amateurs have been nothing but positive. The feel is incredible and they are able to control trajectory like any shaft on the market. We are just adding fuel to the fire...

They are definitely on my radar! Are they available yet though? I read the press release on them and it gave the impression that the prototypes wouldn't be available until early next year.

Edit: I don't know where I got that info, I see they are available now

Is golfworks considered a TourSPX dealer? I see them listed on your site as a retailer. Would they have these to try?

Freddy,
Do you get all your shafts from Golfworks there in Ottawa? I've been getting mine there. Is Greg MacMillan still there?
I'm playing PX graphites in my JPX Pro's. 4.5 in the longer irons, and 5.0 in the wedges. I've only got a dozen or so games
in with them, but after being used to TT Dynalite Gold XP's in my first 800's, they sure feel boardy to me. They may be too much
for me and my languid swing. So, I'm in the market for a change.

Greg is no longer at Golfworks in Ottawa.

[Break68]

I get all my shafts at Golfworks in Ottawa.

[That Bob Guy]

 Break68, on 23 November 2012 - 10:21 AM, said:

I get all my shafts at Golfworks in Ottawa.

Hey,
Have you ever had them order something that wasn't in the catalogue?

[freddyottawa]

so at this point, i'm leaning towards to Aerotechs. I hit the 110 and it feels great, but I can't help thinking that the 125's might be the way to go. Can anyone compare the 110 to the 125? I hit the 110 for what it is worth. Is there much different in the 110 stiff and the 125 other than the weight?

If i really like the program 130 in the H4 when it arrives though, all bets could be off

[Big Ben]

I've tried most heavy graphite options including the Programs (pretty good!) and the Steelfibers blow everything away! I have the 110's in my Bridgies and 125's in my wedges, don't look any farther...BB

[freddyottawa]

 Big Ben, on 23 November 2012 - 02:41 PM, said:

I've tried most heavy graphite options including the Programs (pretty good!) and the Steelfibers blow everything away! I have the 110's in my Bridgies and 125's in my wedges, don't look any farther...BB

Thanks BB. I will definitely be ordering the wedge shafts too when I place the order.

[Honman]

I used to use the nv 105s. I really enjoyed them. Great feel and a lower ball flight. Changed them more due to the heads than anything else.

[freddyottawa]

Ok, i'm placing the order tomorrow. Still not decided over whether to go 110 or 125's. It seems alot more people have used and enjoyed the 110's over the 125's. I'm just worried about having the 110's as i've never played an iron shaft that light before. Is it really a non-issue? Or should I go with what i'm leaning towards right now, the 125's?

I'll definitely be playing the heavier shafts in the wedges.

[OrangeCrush]

A cheap way to see if you like a light weight iron shaft is have a DG SLS300 installed in your 7 iron.  Try that out.

Edited by OrangeCrush, 25 November 2012 - 09:24 PM.

[Johnny]

 Big Ben, on 23 November 2012 - 02:41 PM, said:

I've tried most heavy graphite options including the Programs (pretty good!) and the Steelfibers blow everything away! I have the 110's in my Bridgies and 125's in my wedges, don't look any farther...BB

it's really no contest... aerotechs by a large margin. Matrix 130 feel like nothing special... next best graphite I've tried is Rombax Proto..then Fujikura Pro-FN (very old), then GD TourAD.

[freddyottawa]

Good to hear, i'm definitely all in on the Aerotech's!

OrangeCrush, thanks for the suggestion.