Advice on shafts.

[MadAdey]

Can our resident shaft experts lend some advice please. I am looking at a toss up between 2 shafts for my slider mini, to replace that god forsaken stock shaft that I still have not yet.

Graffaloy Bi-Matrix Tour Prototype
Fukikura Rombax 8Z08

So dies anyone play these shafts or give me any advice to how they play please.

Also i I have never changed a graphite shaft before, so any fitting advice would be welcome.

 

[nemicu]

What makes those two specific shafts your choice?
As you probably know (?) the Bi-matrix has a steel tip section and regardless to the rest of the club make-up, this leads to an increase to swing weight. Fine if you like a heavy head in a shorter than standard club, but probably not a good idea in a SLDR Mini.
The Fuji 8z08 is equally strong (if not stronger) than the Bi-Matrix and is ideally suited to a very strong hitter who likes a heavy weight shaft with low launch and spin - it's not for the faint hearted and at 87g is a hefty shaft to swing - not in swing weight like the Bi-Matrix but in raw dead weight. Unless you have been specifically fitted for one or the other, I would give them a miss and seek a proper fitting session to get your best options - especially where a 14 degree driver option is concerned.

 

[MadAdey]

I like the feel of heavier shafts, got the x-100 in my irons. Had my swing analysed twice in the last few days. Once was at the range as they had a Bridgestone ball fitting demo on and the other was in the Golfsmith store. Both times the result was basically the same, 250-260 yards up to 15 yards left if centre. Both people said I need a heavier shaft with lower launch and spin properties. I have the power 75 shaft in my i25 and love the heavier feel and I use to have an NV-85 in my driver and loved that too.

 

[Foxholer]

The Bi-matrix will certainly give a low launch and spin result. I'd be interested to hear how it goes. I suspect it might actually be too low! What's actually wrong with the stock one?

Very little experience with Rombax, save knowing that they tend to be shafts for aggressive hitters - and that's a heavy one too! More geared to the Rugby Prop sort of shape than someone like your Avatar pic!

I'd suggest you get the shaft professionally pulled - if it's a glued in one - unless you are going to discard it. Installation is simpler/standard though. Gentle heat and a specialist shaft-puller is the way. Easy with the right gear!

 

[MadAdey]

The Bi-matrix will certainly give a low launch and spin result. I'd be interested to hear how it goes. I suspect it might actually be too low! What's actually wrong with the stock one?

stock shaft is giving a launch angle of around 22* with around 4500-5000 RPM so that's explains it.

Very little experience with Rombax, save knowing that they tend to be shafts for aggressive hitters - and that's a heavy one too! More geared to the Rugby Prop sort of shape than someone like your Avatar pic!

are you trying to chat me up? I'm 6'3 and weigh around 16 stone. That avatar must be kind to me........lol

 

[Foxholer]

stock shaft is giving a launch angle of around 22* with around 4500-5000 RPM so that's explains it.

Yikes! Yes, something needs to be done!

are you trying to chat me up? I'm 6'3 and weigh around 16 stone. That avatar must be kind to me........lol

Not my type! Yep avatar doesn't show height! Flanker/#8 then! Heavy shaft probably appropriate!

Actually I may be out of date. That size/weight probably applies to anyone from #6 to #15 these days - including #9! (all to my disappointment)!

 

[LanDog]

Not my type! Yep avatar doesn't show height! Flanker/#8 then! Heavy shaft probably appropriate!

Actually I may be out of date. That size/weight probably applies to anyone from #6 to #15 these days - including #9! (all to my disappointment)!

I long for the days of little Peter Stringer in the Ireland line up

 

[MadAdey]

Yikes! Yes, something needs to be done!

i had the NV-85s in my driver and changed between that and a 73g Fubuki X-Stiff. The fitter at Golfamiths that took me on the trackman came up with 2 ideas. Due to my swing speed i am in the lower end of the x-stiff range. So he advised to either go with a medium weight (70-75g) x-stiff, or get a heavy stiff shift. As I am primarily using this as a driver he wants to get a flatter rainbow flight as at the minute it flies more like a short iron (climbs up then comes down and stops on the spot) His personal advice was to go with a heavy stiff shaft. Mmmmmmm sounds like what I was messing around with in my driver. So I managed to find those 2 shafts on clearance in Golfsmiths Bi-matrix @ $75 (£50ish) Rombax @$85 (£55ish). That is why I am looking at those shafts.

Not my type! Yep avatar doesn't show height! Flanker/#8 then! Heavy shaft probably appropriate!

spot on, I use to play #8!

 

[Foxholer]

I long for the days of little Peter Stringer in the Ireland line up

And I those of Chris Laidlaw, Sid Going and David Kirk! Van der Westhuizen just looked strange!

@Adey Buck Shelford, Murray Mexted (he sold our beemer for us after we left NZ), Zinzan Brooke (who I've seen hit a 4 iron 30-40 yards further than I hit my Driver!), or the incomparable, but fragile Michael Jones were all 'heroes' of mine! Richie McCaw does the same job from #7 now though!

Not really showing my 'bias' at all!

Back On Topic... I'd suggest the Bi-Matrix, but mainly out of interest!

 

[MadAdey]

Back On Topic... I'd suggest the Bi-Matrix, but mainly out of interest!

that is the one catching my eye and it will be the Bubba Watson pink model too!

 

[patricks148]

from what i could see on the range at Woodhall, not trying to smack the skin off the ball would take the spin right down.

 

[One Planer]

I had a swat with a Rombax 7Z08 in a driver last year (September'ish).

Waaaay to harsh and boardy for me. If I were to label it with a name, it would be 'Daisy Cutter' or 'Worm Burner'.

 

[fundy]

wow, wouldve like to have come up against you when I was playing at #8

Never tried the Bimatrix but tried out the Rombax quite a while back, albeit it in X flex and was about as stout a shaft as Ive tried, very low launching but felt quite dead. Could fit the bill of what you are looking for in S flex for sure.

 

[MadAdey]

from what i could see on the range at Woodhall, not trying to smack the skin off the ball would take the spin right down.

I can safely say I do not try and smack the skin off it, I just naturally have an aggressive swing.