Aldila Prototype Tour - S shaft?

PeanutsDaddy · August 10, 2016

Hello ladies and gents,

I recently 'stumbled' into a set of Aldila Prototype Tour - S shafts for a steal of a deal. I knew nothing about these shafts, other than the fact that they have a similar colour to an NV and were a .355 tip diameter. I reached out to Justin at Continental Golf and he was kind enough to dig up a few shaft specs (2.4 degrees of torque, 103 grams, stiff tip, low launch). This is where my information ends as I can't find anything else about this shaft. It looks similar to the 'cinnamon' shafts that I've seen, but I've really got no clue.

A few questions . . .

1) Has anyone put these shafts into play, and if so, what are your thoughts?

2) Was this a tour only shaft or was this shaft available to the general public? (what's the story?)

I'm in for $40 + shipping so this is going to be a really fun experience regardless. I've never carried a graphite iron shaft in this weight and/or profile.

Here are a few images:

Thank you in advance for all comments,

Mike.

Stuart_G · August 11, 2016

If you want to know more, go ahead and call or e-mail Aldila CS. They are usually really good about responding and providing info on the shafts (including specs and history).

My first though is that they might have been the prototypes for the NV 105 iron shafts - but that's just a guess.

stage1350 · August 12, 2016

Exactly what they are: NV protos.

PeanutsDaddy · August 12, 2016

Thank you so much for the insight gents.

I will reach out to Aldila for the official story and I'll also post some thoughts on their performance when I get them shafted. I just have to figure out what I want to put them into. They certainly feel heftier than anything I've carried in graphite and the tip is so thick I have no clue how I'm going to add tip weights if needed.

stage1350 · August 12, 2016

Don't be surprised if they are counterbalanced and the swingweights are low. The old G. Loomis Tour X shafts had the same problem.

The expectation seems to be that people play graphite overlength or don't want D4 swingweights.

PeanutsDaddy · August 12, 2016

Part of me is leaning toward building to my regular lengths, which is short of 'industry standard', and using lead tape if needed. I'm carrying graphite in the 85 gram range so this step up of 20 grams should be interesting.

Counterbalancing sounds intriguing.

Stuart_G · August 12, 2016

If the balance is similar to the aftermarket NV 105 iron shafts then they are not counterbalanced, std head weights at standard lengths should get you around D2. But, yes, tip weights with graphite irons shafts can be a pain. std graphite tip weight work fine but only if the bore depth is long enough to fit them in and still retain enough shaft insertion depth for a good glue joint.

These can be used for shorter bore depths:

https://www.billybob...&cat=407&page=1

But usually require you to drill out the ID of the shaft tip.

PeanutsDaddy · August 12, 2016

If the balance is similar to the aftermarket NV 105 iron shafts then they are not counterbalanced, std head weights at standard lengths should get you around D2. But, yes, tip weights with graphite irons shafts can be a pain. std graphite tip weight work fine but only if the bore depth is long enough to fit them in and still retain enough shaft insertion depth for a good glue joint.

These can be used for shorter bore depths:

https://www.billybob...&cat=407&page=1

But usually require you to drill out the ID of the shaft tip.

You nailed it Stuart. The ID of the shaft tip is so small that a pin will never fit into the shaft. I don't feel comfortable drilling the tip out so I'm left with two viable options (as I see it). Lead tape, a Wishon head with a hosel bore, or I could cut off the pin and use the end of the weight (assuming I can get enough of the shaft into the hosel).

As of this moment these shafts could be installed in a set of '88 Redlines, '99 Apex, Cleveland TA1's, or I could pull shafts from my Wishon 575's and go from there.

PeanutsDaddy · August 19, 2016

I dropped a three iron shaft into an FG59 5 iron head. At the range (from mats) I was hitting low launching bullets that were rolling out to my usual distances. Dispersion was tight. I like the weight of the shaft, but they are a bit stout for my swing speed (even soft-stepped twice). I brought the club to the course yesterday and the ball launched higher from the turf. I'm most interest to see how these shafts play in a wedge.

A definite score at $40. Further testing is going to be needed. No issues swing weighting at all. Without tip weights the 5 iron came out to D1 when all was done.

AC-Golf · August 21, 2016

If the balance is similar to the aftermarket NV 105 iron shafts then they are not counterbalanced, std head weights at standard lengths should get you around D2. But, yes, tip weights with graphite irons shafts can be a pain. std graphite tip weight work fine but only if the bore depth is long enough to fit them in and still retain enough shaft insertion depth for a good glue joint.

These can be used for shorter bore depths:

https://www.billybob...&cat=407&page=1

But usually require you to drill out the ID of the shaft tip.

You nailed it Stuart. The ID of the shaft tip is so small that a pin will never fit into the shaft. I don't feel comfortable drilling the tip out so I'm left with two viable options (as I see it). Lead tape, a Wishon head with a hosel bore, or I could cut off the pin and use the end of the weight (assuming I can get enough of the shaft into the hosel).

As of this moment these shafts could be installed in a set of '88 Redlines, '99 Apex, Cleveland TA1's, or I could pull shafts from my Wishon 575's and go from there.

I have Aldila RIP Tours and they wouldn't take a tip weight I normally use either. I like the look of lead tape on the back of my CBs.