iron shatf characteristics ???

[duncan mackie]

So I pulled a set of DG R300 superlites from a set of R9 TP heads

and replaced them with a set of KBS TOUR S shafts

identical weight and size grips

the KBS shafts weigh 10g more than the DG's, and feel noticably stiffer - all as expected

go to the range I normally use, in conditions I am used to at the moment and hit a bucket of balls.....

now the question; what difference, if any, would you expect to see? why?

thank you in advance

 

[Val]

You should see a difference in ball flight, you will likely see a difference in yardages too

 

[duncan mackie]

You should see a difference in ball flight, you will likely see a difference in yardages too

yes, but what difference in ball flight would you expect?

 

[Val]

yes, but what difference in ball flight would you expect?

Maybe lower or higher than your normal, kbs shafts normally lower in short irons than others and higher in long irons

 

[Region3]

I'll have a guess...

Lower flight
Tighter dispersion
Loss of distance

But I stress it's a guess.

 

[duncan mackie]

I'll have a guess...

Lower flight
Tighter dispersion
Loss of distance

But I stress it's a guess.

the first two were my 'guess' too, the last isn't really easy to evaluate in detail from a range session at this time of year (relative to a couple of rounds in real life)

what I got was definitely a smoother impact, and dispersion seemed tighter ie the whole process seemed more under control.

where I was surprised was that the trajectory, and launch angle from my perspective, were higher.

I'm not unhappy, in fact I may have a win-win when I was expecting an element of compromise, it will be interesting to see over the next couple of weeks.

 

[Val]

Higher launch on all irons?

 

[duncan mackie]

Higher launch on all irons?

that's what it seems like - it's harder to tell accurately on the 5 and 4, but it's the impression I got.

the real test will come over the next weeks on the course, with real balls that reflect any different spin rates

 

[DaveM]

It will have altered the swing weight by one point. If I remember right its one point for every 10gms. So if they were D2 swing weight before they will be D1 now. If you increase the shaft weight it has the effect of lowering the head weight.