Hi everyone. SirPutts has been a busy guy over the past few days and has answered a lot of email. Let's have a look at what he's been up to…
I play to a 5.4 handicap and currently play S300 Dynamic Gold shafts in Mizuno MP32's. I'm looking to buy MP67's or MP57's with Project X shafts. Do you recommend the Project X 5.5 or 6.0? Which iron out of the two do you recommend?
Shaft selection really depends on the player. The Project X shafts are similar to Dynamic Gold in weight and flex points but the X will produce a slightly lower spinning, more penetrating ball flight. You really can't lose with either one, just a matter of preference.
As for 5.5 or 6.0, again this really depends on the player. A 5.5 shaft is a regular flex with a high bend point… meaning a regular flex but it will hit the ball lower. The 6.0 is a stiff flex shaft with a mid flex point. The 6.0 would play similar to the S300 but it will hit the ball a little higher.
I like the 57 over the 67. Both have a very similar look at address but the cavity on the 57 provides some extra forgiveness on those off-center shots. I don't recommend muscle back irons to too many golfers.
Ok, here's a tough question. I'm playing an Adams RPM 15 degree 3 wood which I hit well off the tee (210+ yards) but not so good off the fairway. I tend to hit my fairway woods fat & lose distance. The longest club I hit well off the fairway is an Adams OS2 19 degree hybrid which I can hit about 190 yards. My swing tends to be more upright with a fade on my longer clubs. I'm a bogey golfer in my late 50s. Is there a fairway wood out there that would give me 200+ yards off the deck with forgiveness to hit is straight or should I stick with the hybrids as my long fairway clubs?
First question, and possibly simple solution – have you tried choking up with your fairway woods when hitting them from the fairway? We are finding that a lot of drivers and woods are just too long for most people. Companies have started using longer shafts to increase distance but often times the offset is poor contact. So first off I would try using your current 3 wood from the fairway but choke up about an inch or so to see if that helps.
Second, if you are hitting the ball 210 off the tee I would suggest that getting 190 out of a hybrid is pretty good. That doesn't mean we can't find something better but it is pretty good.
Some fairway woods worth taking a look at would be the TaylorMade R7 Draw or the Cobra LD. Both very easy to hit and a pretty reasonable price tag. I think the R7 Draw might really work well for you. It is easy to hit in the air and will help correct your fade. Give these a try in a few different lofts and see if you have any luck.
What are the disadvantages of going down to a regular steel shaft? I have played stiff for a long time and always have very good distance. I have a smooth swing but am very strong so am a tad uncertain.
If you have a smooth swing you will probably have an easier time switching to a more flexible shaft than someone who has a very quick or jerky swing. A lot of it has to do with where you load the club or when you create the most shaft deflection. Not trying to get too technical but this is usually what determines the type of shaft a player should use. A launch monitor is usually a good way to simplify the process in selecting a proper shaft.
But to answer your question, a shaft that is too flexible will usually result in a player either hitting a lot of hooks or ballooning shots. It can also result in a loss of control or accuracy.
My general rule is that a player should stick with the most flexible shaft that they can use comfortably. If you start noticing any of these problems you might be wise to go to a stiffer flex.
Thanks SirPutts! Have a question? Drop us a line and we'll do our best to get you an answer!