DougE
Titleist Loyalist
We often use different shafts in our drivers, fairways and hybrids because we have different performance needs from each. Well, in my mind, I think many of us could use different performances from our irons too, yet nearly everyone seems to put one type of shaft in their entire set.
For me, I want precision from my wedges and short irons and like the feel of a stiffer, heavier shaft in those. However, being a bit older (60s), I appreciate a slightly lighter and softer feel with my long irons. So not only have I used a different model head in the past to make up a combo set (ie. Titleist AP2 PW-7i/AP3 6i-4i) I have also used a completely different shaft type in the 4i which worked perfectly for me. PW to 5i were AMT steel shafts with the 5i weighing in around 95g, the 4i had a Kuro Kage 85 graphite shaft. It felt wonderful and made a great transition up to my 21* 818H2 hybrid. (I've since added a Titleist U500 4 utility iron with a GD Tour AD UT 85 (+1/2", bent strong) to go along with my most recent T200 set, but plan to upgrade later this year, with a combo set of the new 2022 T100S/T200 irons.)
When I have been fit on a launch monitor for new irons in the past, I typically only get to hit a 6i which tells me very little, particularly since I like a firmer feel and have different expectations for my short irons, than I do for the longer ones. Like so many of you, I'm a tinkerer. I like to try different ideas on the course in real world/course situations, over a period of time. Though, I believe a launch monitor is certainly helpful in determining what shafts might work well for you, a few minutes on a range does not tell the whole story. So, once you have those shafts narrowed down, the only way to know for sure is to play them for awhile to see the reality.
For this new set of combo irons, I am considering using two different shaft types, yet to be determined. The T100s will likely have something a bit heavier and will probably have stiff flex steel shafts, while in the T200, I am thinking about the possibility of using a slightly lighter weight graphite in stiff or even steel in R flex, depending on how they each feel in the initial fitting. With a 95-97ish mph driver SS, I always seem to be right on the cusp of R or S. I play S in most of my shafts with no problem, but it really depends on the manufacturer and what they designate as THEIR stiff or regular.
So, do any of you guys play more than one shaft model in your everyday iron set and if so, what are your reasons and results?
For me, I want precision from my wedges and short irons and like the feel of a stiffer, heavier shaft in those. However, being a bit older (60s), I appreciate a slightly lighter and softer feel with my long irons. So not only have I used a different model head in the past to make up a combo set (ie. Titleist AP2 PW-7i/AP3 6i-4i) I have also used a completely different shaft type in the 4i which worked perfectly for me. PW to 5i were AMT steel shafts with the 5i weighing in around 95g, the 4i had a Kuro Kage 85 graphite shaft. It felt wonderful and made a great transition up to my 21* 818H2 hybrid. (I've since added a Titleist U500 4 utility iron with a GD Tour AD UT 85 (+1/2", bent strong) to go along with my most recent T200 set, but plan to upgrade later this year, with a combo set of the new 2022 T100S/T200 irons.)
When I have been fit on a launch monitor for new irons in the past, I typically only get to hit a 6i which tells me very little, particularly since I like a firmer feel and have different expectations for my short irons, than I do for the longer ones. Like so many of you, I'm a tinkerer. I like to try different ideas on the course in real world/course situations, over a period of time. Though, I believe a launch monitor is certainly helpful in determining what shafts might work well for you, a few minutes on a range does not tell the whole story. So, once you have those shafts narrowed down, the only way to know for sure is to play them for awhile to see the reality.
For this new set of combo irons, I am considering using two different shaft types, yet to be determined. The T100s will likely have something a bit heavier and will probably have stiff flex steel shafts, while in the T200, I am thinking about the possibility of using a slightly lighter weight graphite in stiff or even steel in R flex, depending on how they each feel in the initial fitting. With a 95-97ish mph driver SS, I always seem to be right on the cusp of R or S. I play S in most of my shafts with no problem, but it really depends on the manufacturer and what they designate as THEIR stiff or regular.
So, do any of you guys play more than one shaft model in your everyday iron set and if so, what are your reasons and results?