Shaft dilemma

[big_russ]

Had an iron fitting session with my club pro yesterday that went as follows:
Started with the new Mizuno MP58 with a ProjectX 6.0 that I hit really well but Darren (Pro) felt that it was creating too much spin (5700) and not enough launch angle 18.1. The spin and launch angle we should be looking for are around 5000 and 20.0 respectively (6 iron).
Next we moved to the MP62 with the same PojectX 6.0 shaft that also performed really well. Spin down to 5200 and launch angle 19.3 so both going in the right direction. Also about 5 extra yards distance at 178.
Next I tried an MP62 with a Rifle 6.0 shaft and again the spin came down to 5080 and launch to 19.7 and this felt like a really solid club to hit with a strong penetrating ball flight.
The next club I tried was the one that Darren thought would be near perfect for me. Mizuno MX300 with the ProjectX 6.0 but it was by far the the most uninspiring club I hit all day and just did not work for me.
I finally hit the MP68 with the ProjectX 6.0 and although this is a club that a 16 handicapper should not be able to hit well, I can honestly say that it went like a dream althought the numbers on the launch monitor didnt tell the same story.
So at the end of the session I came away with two clubs, both MP62, one with ProjectX 6.0 and one with Rifle 6.0 to go and either play with or take to the range and decide on the one that played best for me. Due to the weather and the course being closed I spent a couple of hours on the range this morning and I still cant decide on which club to go for. Both felt really solid and gave great feel and ball flight. Hitting a variety of shots high, low, draw and fade and both clubs are equally placed.
Hitting ball after ball I have been unable to separate the clubs so how do I make my final choice. Do I go for the shaft that produced the better figures on the launch monitor or or is it back to the range until I can decide a winner.

Your thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[drawboy]

Hi Big-russ, I take it these are not going to be a cheap purchase so if I were you I would hold my decision until I had taken them out on the course. I would give them a minimum of 18-27 holes play before choosing between the two.

 

[feary]

good idea drawboy. Give them a try on the course.

 

[Tommo21]

Both felt really solid and gave great feel and ball flight. Hitting a variety of shots high, low, draw and fade and both clubs are equally placed.

Not trying to smart here, but if you're 16HC and can do the above, it's not new irons you need.

 

[EaseNgrace]

Both felt really solid and gave great feel and ball flight. Hitting a variety of shots high, low, draw and fade and both clubs are equally placed.

Not trying to smart here, but if you're 16HC and can do the above, it's not new irons you need.

I dont think thats a fair comment, Im a similar handicap (dont have one yet but score wise) and I can work the ball on command as described. It doesn't mean I can go round in low 70's.

 

[Tommo21]

I can work the ball on command as described. It doesn't mean I can go round in low 70's.

That is my point exactly.

 

[thecraw]

Why limit your choice to Mizuno? Its a bit like goining into and expensive chocolate shop and asking for a mars bars cos thats what you know!

Why not try ranges from Ping, TM, Titleist, Nike etc. They all do custom fit and may just have a product better suited. Its a huge purchase and one that you need to get right. I had a bad experience with custom fit which to be fair was my fault as I rushed in, however I would strongly recommend that you widen your search even if its just to eliminate Ping or TM etc.

Good luck and I'm jealous of your new purchase already!

 

[EaseNgrace]

I can work the ball on command as described. It doesn't mean I can go round in low 70's.

That is my point exactly.

 

[Ethan]

I see your dilemma. On the face of it, neither club should be suitable for a 16 handicapper, unless your putting is absolutely terrible.

The Rifle 6.0 plays a bit softer than the PX 6.0, and feels a bit better too. I have the 62s with PX and think they are a really lovely club that is pretty playable, but the shaft is a bit dead feeling. I haven't seen the 68s yet, but assume they are somewhat like the old 33s which I had.

You could double check with a fitting at the Mizuno National Fitting Centre. Unfortunately it is near London - are you ever down on business or pleasure?

 

[Tiger]

I can work the ball on command as described. It doesn't mean I can go round in low 70's.

That is my point exactly.

I think what tommo is getting at is that you are obviously both good ball strikers who can shape a ball when the situation calls for it. I think he's suggesting that you mid handicap suggests you need to work on your short game and that if you are getting new clubs you should maybe consider new wedges or a new putter.

My game is not strong enough (nor have I been playing long enough) to comment on which irons to get, but if you do want to try other brands the new Titleist AP1s are a joy to hit.

 

[Faldo_Fan]

I can work the ball on command as described. It doesn't mean I can go round in low 70's.

That is my point exactly.

I think what tommo is getting at is that you are obviously both good ball strikers who can shape a ball when the situation calls for it. I think he's suggesting that you mid handicap suggests you need to work on your short game and that if you are getting new clubs you should maybe consider new wedges or a new putter.

My game is not strong enough (nor have I been playing long enough) to comment on which irons to get, but if you do want to try other brands the new Titleist AP1s are a joy to hit.

If he's hitting that variety of shots and striking the ball well.......AP2's surely???

 

[big_russ]

Tommo - The reason my handicap is 16 is due to me only joining my club this year (no previous club since '85) and then faffing around until June before I got my handicap. I have only played in 4 qualifying comps over the summer so have not been able to bring the h/cap down.
What I have done is take a number of lessons and practiced well on the recommendations from my pro. This coupled with playing 2, sometimes three times a week has seen my game improve greatly. I would say that the only area of my game that lets me down is my driving (lesson has been had)and as a result I have become very good at the low 4 iron punch shot out of the trees.
My main reasons for going with Mizuno are my pro is a Mizuno specialist fitter and having used Mizuno in the past I like what they have to offer. Also upgrading to any shaft is completely free of charge with Mizuno whereas it can add a couple of hundred quid extra to many other sets.

 

[WeekendGolfers]

Another consideration is how repeatable your swing is. If you get tested on a day when you swing well you will get different results than on the day you swing poorly.

I've been through the ftting process and its definitely worthwhile, but keep in mind that we're all different and only you will really know what's good for you. Test and test and then test some more before you part with your cash.

Nothing worse than going through the process and then a few months later not being happy with the results...been there and it costs a bit...not to mention the times on the course when the scores could have been better.

Hope this helps

 

[Tommo21]

Tommo - The reason my handicap is 16 is due to me only joining my club this year (no previous club since '85) and then faffing around until June before I got my handicap. I have only played in 4 qualifying comps over the summer so have not been able to bring the h/cap down.
What I have done is take a number of lessons and practiced well on the recommendations from my pro. This coupled with playing 2, sometimes three times a week has seen my game improve greatly. I would say that the only area of my game that lets me down is my driving (lesson has been had)and as a result I have become very good at the low 4 iron punch shot out of the trees.
My main reasons for going with Mizuno are my pro is a Mizuno specialist fitter and having used Mizuno in the past I like what they have to offer. Also upgrading to any shaft is completely free of charge with Mizuno whereas it can add a couple of hundred quid extra to many other sets.

Cheers for that and it just goes to show that you’re clearly a much better golfer than 16 HC and that now explains your ability to move and shape the ball from your original post. You’ll be down to around 4 or 5 in no time.

 

[Tiger]

[/QUOTE]

I think what tommo is getting at is that you are obviously both good ball strikers who can shape a ball when the situation calls for it. I think he's suggesting that you mid handicap suggests you need to work on your short game and that if you are getting new clubs you should maybe consider new wedges or a new putter.

My game is not strong enough (nor have I been playing long enough) to comment on which irons to get, but if you do want to try other brands the new Titleist AP1s are a joy to hit.

[/QUOTE]

If he's hitting that variety of shots and striking the ball well.......AP2's surely???

[/QUOTE]

Quite possibly. But I couldn't hit them that well so would have been a complete and utter lie if I'd said AP2s were a joy to hit. I'm aware of a few mid to low handicappers that use AP1s down our range though.

 

[big_russ]

4-5 is a bit optimistic but with more hard work and practice I am definately looking for single figures next year.
I just hope I dont get too many cowboy calls at the start of the season.