Soft Stepping of PX Shafts

[stevek1969]

Looking for some info and just wondered if anyone one has soft stepped PX Shafts before.

I was at a recent Mizuno Demo day and the shafts that were recommended were PX 5.0,I currently have PX6.0 in my current irons and have struggled with this shaft being to stiff. Is this a sensible road to go down or is reshafting a better way, i love the heads of the clubs thats why i'm thinking of doing it.

All help appreciated.

 

[DaveM]

Why do you want to go to a reg shaft in your irons? When you have stiff in everything else. Your driver has a stiff shaft plus an open face. I guess you hit that ok, with no slice?

 

[Foxholer]

Soft-stepping once will reduce the flex by about 0.3 flex, so you will not achieve much. 5.7 in PX is still a seriously stiff flex. I found 5.5 too harsh and I use 6.0 in 'normal' Rifles. PX is more appropriate for 'hitters' - think Paul Casey - than 'swingers' - like Luke Donald.

In addition to losing 1 shaft, you will probably need new grips (most fitters simply cut the grips off), and the lengths would need adjusting. If not adjusted, they would play (mostly) half an inch longer and be 3 swing points greater in swing weight. New Ferrules probably required too.

So quite fiddly/expensive for a small adjustment. And to go from 6.0 to 5.1 would need 3 steps, so you'd 'lose' 3 shafts, Also, if the shafts are 'flighted' you will be screwing that set-up too.

So I don't believe it would be worth doing it for what you want to achieve. Better to replace the shafts -though that is still an expensive exercise.

I think your best option is to sell these clubs and get a set with more appropriate shafts.

 

[thecraw]

I'd agree with above Steve and look at new shafts as soft stepping won't make a great difference. You'll pick up a set easily enough.


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RIFLE-PRO...roducts_US&hash=item20c5b641b3#ht_3822wt_1270

 

[bunkered]

stevek1969

Before you spend anymore money get over to Craigmiller and get a proper fitting, that Mizuno gizmo they put on the shaft is a heap of ****.

 

[splashtryagain]

I would also suggest new shafts - or sell your clubs and buy the same heads with the shaft you want , may work out better.
@Bunkered - in what way is the mizuno dna awful - got everything spot on for me! I even went for a regular fitting with my pro afterwards and the results were the same - one dna and one pro opinion. This tells me it's fairly reliable.

 

[CMAC]

I got my mizuno x-100's soft stepped, gave me the ideal stiffness.

However, I agree it's a lot of hassle so sell them and buy ones more suitable and not based on the mizuno swing DNA which far too many fitters choose your full set based on 3 swings with a 6 iron

 

[Ethan]

Steve

Another on the 'not worth doing' side of the argument. 6.0 to 5.0 is not best achieved by soft stepping, but by replacement.

PX is a shaft which divides people. Some find it very 'boardy' and unplayable, others like it and find it smooth and easy to flight. Flex ratings in PX are based on shaft weight rather than shaft frequency, so sets of shafts can vary in flex terms. PX 6.0 is generally considered to be a bit stiffer than TT DG S300, and PX 5.0 a shade stiffer than TT DG R300. If you are interested in something else, KBS Tour Reg and Stiff are pretty much spot on PX 5.0 and 6.0 respectively.

I don't agree that Swing DNA is a heap of ****, but neither is it meant to be a once and for all shaft fitting. It analyses 4 key characteristics, the most important of which are swing speed and tempo, and suggests shafts as a starting point for a fitting.

Out of interest, do you know the numbers produced by your Mizuno fitting (a sequence something like 83, 4, 5, 4).

 

[thecraw]

I would also suggest new shafts - or sell your clubs and buy the same heads with the shaft you want , may work out better.
@Bunkered - in what way is the mizuno dna awful - got everything spot on for me! I even went for a regular fitting with my pro afterwards and the results were the same - one dna and one pro opinion. This tells me it's fairly reliable.

It measures swing speed only. Very basic and Mizuno are hoodwinking everyone who uses it into thinking they've got a custom fit shaft!


Absolute bollocks!

 

[Ethan]

It measures swing speed only. Very basic and Mizuno are hoodwinking everyone who uses it into thinking they've got a custom fit shaft!


Absolute bollocks!

You are wrong. It measures more than swing speed. It also measures tempo, toe downness and release. That is a good basis for selecting a shaft.

Nor does it purport to be a full custom fit but is a starting point.

 

[MashieNiblick]

...that Mizuno gizmo they put on the shaft is a heap of ****.

It isn't "put on the shaft", the shaft is specially made and incorportes strain sensors and is an integral part of the device.

Clearly lots of misunderstanding about this device. Worth checking the Mizuno website to find out a bit more about how it actually works.

http://golf.mizunoeurope.com/custom/swing-dna.php

When they say 3 swings you can hit as many shots as you like and choose which of the swings to be included in the data.

Interested if any of the people who have knocked it have actually tried it or can critique the engineering or software that underlies its functioning? Luke Donald and other Mizuno staff players apparently like it. I reckon they probably know what they are talking about.

 

[CMAC]

really? Guys paid a fortune by Mizuno say they like something that their bosses showed them:smirk: A point to note though is Master Luke didnt use this to taylor his irons, he tried it after all his fittings and said it was "interesting" so your right they do know what they are talking about. Luke also switched his wedges recently as the fitted R12's werent working for him, he's gone back to the T-11's

However, I applaud their innovation and as a starting point its not bad, my issue is any fitters I've seen use it do so as the finishing point, ie whatever the software says is right they "recommend". I speak from experience

 

[Alex1975]

Be very careful buying PX shafts on eBay as there are lots of sets of fake PX regularly listed.

On the DNA tool, I have been fitted twice by two different fitters. The first time I did not even end up with a shaft that the DNA short listed. We tried the three suggestions, did not like them so looked for a similar stats but more feel for me. The second time I did pick one of the three but tried just about everything with similar charictoristics.

It's a tool the fitter/pro has in his armoury that gives a starter for 10, if used as such it is great.

 

[stevek1969]

Why do you want to go to a reg shaft in your irons? When you have stiff in everything else. Your driver has a stiff shaft plus an open face. I guess you hit that ok, with no slice?

Dave i never mentioned that i slice the ball and i don't its the way i got the best results out of the driver plus PX5.0 is more a firm than regular.

Steve

Another on the 'not worth doing' side of the argument. 6.0 to 5.0 is not best achieved by soft stepping, but by replacement.

PX is a shaft which divides people. Some find it very 'boardy' and unplayable, others like it and find it smooth and easy to flight. Flex ratings in PX are based on shaft weight rather than shaft frequency, so sets of shafts can vary in flex terms. PX 6.0 is generally considered to be a bit stiffer than TT DG S300, and PX 5.0 a shade stiffer than TT DG R300. If you are interested in something else, KBS Tour Reg and Stiff are pretty much spot on PX 5.0 and 6.0 respectively.

I don't agree that Swing DNA is a heap of ****, but neither is it meant to be a once and for all shaft fitting. It analyses 4 key characteristics, the most important of which are swing speed and tempo, and suggests shafts as a starting point for a fitting.

Out of interest, do you know the numbers produced by your Mizuno fitting (a sequence something like 83, 4, 5, 4).

Martin as ever thanks for your input, can't remember the figures of the top of my headbut one was 9 basically i hit it high due to a swing fault in trying to scoop it rather than hit down on it but i'm sorting that out.

The recommendations were the same i had when i did it when it first came out ,but PX shafts gave me the best results. Cheers Craw but i'm not an EBay fan to be honest, will have a rethink we i come back frfom my holidays, thanks again for your input guys.

 

[HughJars]

Why do you want to go to a reg shaft in your irons? When you have stiff in everything else. Your driver has a stiff shaft plus an open face. I guess you hit that ok, with no slice?

Because you're stiff in driver, doesn't mean you'll be stiff in irons. I play stiff driver, f/w, hybrid, but regular in my iron shafts. That's not uncommon.

 

[JustOne]

Because you're stiff in driver, doesn't mean you'll be stiff in irons. I play stiff driver, f/w, hybrid, but regular in my iron shafts. That's not uncommon.

Yep, I've played x-flex driver and r300u iron shafts and shot under par loads of times... IN THE PAST! :angry:

Loads of low h/cappers I know won't go above 5.5 in their irons.

 

[Region3]

I had PX 6.0 soft-stepped. As said above, it makes them play about 5.7, and I could hardly tell the difference. Given the choice again I'd go down the re-shaft route.