Older golfers. How light are your iron shafts?

[phizzy30]

Just now, NRJyzr said:

 

You sound a little like me, in terms of shaft preferences (not the health side; I've been much more fortunate).  I largely couldn't go lighter than 125-135 until a couple years ago (59 as I type).

 

You've likely got a good run of heavy ahead of you. 🙂

 

As you know, growing up back in the day when heavy steel shafts were the only option unless you went with ladies clubs, was the only choice.  😉

[nitram]

59 & MMT 125TX. I've tried lighter but it throws off my timing and feel, especially at the bottom. I can gain a little speed by going lighter but the loss of consistency isn't worth it. YMMV

[st1800e]

4 minutes ago, nitram said:

YMMV

Yes, this is about slower swing speeds, not necessarily about age.  My driver speed is ~80-85 mph, I’ve got a 47gm in the driver, 57 in the FW’s and 65gm in the irons and hybrids.  

[nitram]

2 minutes ago, st1800e said:

Yes, this is about slower swing speeds, not necessarily about age.  My driver speed is ~80-85 mph, I’ve got a 47gm in the driver, 57 in the FW’s and 65gm in the irons and hybrids.  

All my stuff is listed in my signature and my driver SS is 108.

[Itsjustagame]

75 years old and play Recoil 680 F4's- so 82 grams. Changed from heavier Recoils about 18 months ago, and very pleased with the results.

[RainShadow]

61 here.

I play SF fc90 or SF i95cw in regular flex, my next set will likely be i80cw.

I have moved progressively light over the past 15-17 years.

90's through 2006 DG S300 125-130g

2006-2010 DGSL S300 stiff 105-110g

2011 KBS Tour 90 stiff @ 100g

2013 SF i110cw stiff

2015 Recoil 95 F3

2018 to present SF I95cw Reg or the fc90, which is a few grams lighter.

I have demo'd a few 65 and 75g offering from both Recoil and SF, but I fitting and personal preference trend to 85-95g class for irons

 

I've managed to keep my distances close to the same throughout the years, after some slight gains at first with lighter steel, and then graphite.

I haven't played a set of irons with super jacked lofts, although with most newer clubs that should be a consideration.

My apex '21 are 2* weak in the 9-GW and 1* weak in the 6-8 

Every thing but driver is R flex.

Low 90's drive ss, 75ish 7iron ss

 

 

 

Edited March 19, 2023 by RainShadow

[azgreg]

59 and 117g.

 

[enelrojo]

Will be 70 in July. Changed, about 2 years ago, from KBS Tour Flt to Recoil 780's F4 in irons and Recoil 95 F3 8 iron shafts in my Vokeys. These 780 Recoils are discontinued. They have performed very well for me. I am currently experimenting with SF i95 R. So far I like the SF's but not better than the Recoils.

 

I also want to say I have found this thread to be very informative and would like to thank the posters for the info.

[charliebrown]

On 3/15/2023 at 6:59 AM, Sparty4202 said:

I’m 70 and over the last few years I’ve tried Recoils and SteelFibers from 60 grams to 95 grams, never truly loved any of the graphites although the SteelFiber i80s were the best of the group. Never felt I could feel where the club head was.
Last year I demoed a New Level iron with the TT Elevate 95R steel shaft and the swing felt much better so I have switched back to steel…I did add a sensicore insert to help ease the vibration. 

Same age. I'll be testing a 7 iron with the same Elevate shaft next week. S300s are in my rear view mirror. I gave them a try this year and it's just not happening. Daughter tells me "70 is the new 60". I told her to remember she said that 30 years from now and evaluate where she's at then.  

[BladesOShanter]

60 and like us all gaining on the older guys here and it's only going to get harder they know better than we do.

 

My distances have for sure fallen. I used to play older Turfrider Staffs and Rifle 6.5s after the hosels all bent on the stock Wilson "S" shafts and would hit the 5I 200 carry, now 175-190 depending on the time of year and conditions between my ears and on the course.

 

'Bout 4-5 years ago had bad case of arthritis went to the F5 Proto 110s and they were and are very light compared to steel. I am used to them but agree the tempo and control and weight helping you feel the head is key. I barely feel the heads on my irons, have lead on them too are about D1. I think I was around D6+ with my old clubs.

 

In process of searching for replacement heads and shafts, and am trying to put myself into a 65-75 year old's shoes as I tend to stick with one club until it's been pelted down to nothing, and know it's only gonna get worse like it has for them. One WRX'er wrote in a thread to me "Old Man Time always wins". He's right.

 

This a good thread as we can read what others are doing. Well done OP'er.

[Radeon962]

55 and playing Steelfiber FC115 F4.  
 

Softer tip and overall better feel for my swing than Steelfiber 95 or 110 in Regular.

[wantacigar]

I'm 56.  Past 3 years playing Sim2 Max with KBS Max 85-S.  They are about 110g.  Just got my new clubs with the TT Feather Flight II in them R flex at 105g.  I think any lighter my arms will be way ahead of my body trying to muscle the club.  Went to R flex because I think I'm losing distance because I'm not flexing the Stiff flex enough.  My 7i was only about 150 when it used to be my 160 club.

[Mike_C]

Will be 62 soon, switched to graphite about 6 years ago because of elbow problems.  For years played PX 6.5s then KBT C-Taper 120s.    For lighter/graphites, I've tried many different Recoil options, started with 125 F4s, tried 110 F5s, ended up with 95 F5 for several years, last year switched to 95 F4s.  Tried Steelfibers 95s, didn't care for the feel.   Had a set for several months with Modus 105s stiff with prosoft inserts, actually got along with those pretty good but went back to the recoils.  Tried something different this year, tried going back to heavier steel, tried some Cobras with 120 $-Tapers, after about a month, my elbows were hurting and gave up on that experiment, but while I had them I hit them well until they hurt. I then ordered my current irons with KBS TGI 95s, they came in with the wrong shaft, TGI 90s.   Instead of sending them back I decided to try them since they are supposed to play a bit stout to flex.  So far about a month into them, have adjusted pretty well, seemed just barely noticeable lighter, but I think the dispersion is better than the recoils.  Wish I could have got the right weight to begin with, but I'm not getting any younger, probably staying lighter is not a bad idea....  Still hit my 7 iron 165 to 170, I think the lighter weight helps with keeping the distance up, the Cobra's I tried in the spring with the heavier shafts were a few yards shorter. 

[Mark_Tha_Tinkerer]

I found this older thread and am interested in a couple of things.  The previous discussion in the thread focused on shaft weight for seniors rather than total weight of various irons.  The shaft weights preferred by the commenters generally seem to be 90+ grams going all the way up to 120-130 grams, which seems high to me (compared to my preference).  If I used my preferred grip (midsize 65 grams +/-), with a 120 gram shaft, my 6 iron would weigh 445 grams (260 grams + 120 grams + 65 grams).  I have found through significant trial and error and experimentation, that I have a comfort level of 390-400 grams total weight for a 6 iron which dictates using a 70 gram shaft +/- 5 grams.   At 69 years old, an extra 45 grams per iron would surely play havoc with my swing and I can’t imagine playing a club that heavy (although I certainly must have when I was younger and played steel shafts).

 

Although some of the prior senior posters probably aren’t still participants in WRX (hopefully they haven't died), I am curious for seniors, what kind of a total weight you have for your irons.  It would be helpful to me if you reported your 6 iron weight or a range of total weights from say 6 iron through PW.  If you are so inclined, I would also be interested in how your total weight for an iron was derived (i.e. the balance between your shaft weight and grip weight). Head weight seems pretty standard so I can figure that out myself. 

 

Thanks in advance for any input you care to share. 

[MrFlipper]

1 hour ago, Mark_Tha_Tinkerer said:

I found this older thread and am interested in a couple of things.  The previous discussion in the thread focused on shaft weight for seniors rather than total weight of various irons.  The shaft weights preferred by the commenters generally seem to be 90+ grams going all the way up to 120-130 grams, which seems high to me (compared to my preference).  If I used my preferred grip (midsize 65 grams +/-), with a 120 gram shaft, my 6 iron would weigh 445 grams (260 grams + 120 grams + 65 grams).  I have found through significant trial and error and experimentation, that I have a comfort level of 390-400 grams total weight for a 6 iron which dictates using a 70 gram shaft +/- 5 grams.   At 69 years old, an extra 45 grams per iron would surely play havoc with my swing and I can’t imagine playing a club that heavy (although I certainly must have when I was younger and played steel shafts).

 

Although some of the prior senior posters probably aren’t still participants in WRX (hopefully they haven't died), I am curious for seniors, what kind of a total weight you have for your irons.  It would be helpful to me if you reported your 6 iron weight or a range of total weights from say 6 iron through PW.  If you are so inclined, I would also be interested in how your total weight for an iron was derived (i.e. the balance between your shaft weight and grip weight). Head weight seems pretty standard so I can figure that out myself. 

 

Thanks in advance for any input you care to share. 

I turn 68 in a couple of months. Played lighter steel shafts in my irons (Apex in Hogans, Gold Plus in Rams) for maybe 35 years, until the last couple years. Learned to play with Tommy Armours and heavier shafts, played them for maybe 20 years as a youngster.

 

Anyway, a couple of years ago I tried an old set of 67-68 staffs on a whim and they just fit. Had been extended an inch over original staff pro shafts. Grips are old midsize tour wrap full cord: I have 4 left and they weigh 58-62 grams. 6 iron weighs 479 grams, maybe 49 grams more than my prior set. Roughly 8 grams more for 7 iron and on up. 3 iron 457 grams. No idea what the heads and shafts weigh by themselves but clubs were really heavy back when I started. Swingweights D8 ish, even with the grips. 
 

Amazingly heavy to me but I think I hit them fairly well. Still a 5 index if that matters.

 

I know at some point they will be too heavy, but I can feel the head and the clubs just seem to swing themselves. I plan to use them as long as I can. Funny game.

[Mark_Tha_Tinkerer]

1 hour ago, MrFlipper said:

6 iron weighs 479 grams, maybe 49 grams more than my prior set. Roughly 8 grams more for 7 iron and on up. 3 iron 457 grams. No idea what the heads and shafts weigh by themselves but clubs were really heavy back when I started. Swingweights D8 ish, even with the grips. 
 

Amazingly heavy to me but I think I hit them fairly well. Still a 5 index if that matters.

My back would be killing me playing a 479 gram 6 iron (with sequential weights in the other irons). That you are still a 5 index does matter and suggests that you've found your ideal total weight configuration.  Let's both hope for another 10 years or more of playing.  

[JimMLINY]

59 grams

[Ger21]

I posted to this thread two years ago about switching from DG to 95g graphite. Turned out that they were way too light, and were a complete disaster. Lots of rounds where I just could not make contact at all, with nothing but tops and shanks.
Switched to AMT White with 130g wedge shafts, and my game turned around immediately. The lighter long irons have eliminated fatigue, and the heavier short irons give me the control I need.

[SnowbirdTom]

At 67 y/o, fitted with new Mizuno JPX923 forged and the DG105 S300 shafts with good results in January.  Tried  a few light graphites in stiff for a year and they weren't quite right for me.

[mat562]

I'm 50, and have played DGX100 for 35 years or so. 

 

I always liked the softer feel of S400s and, whenever I hit them, liked the weight and feel of most Ping OEM shafts like the ZZ Lite, KT, KTM and JZ. 

 

I'm now playing KBS Tour 120S hardstepped once, and they seem to be working out decently. Slightly higher flight, but without excessive spin, and the softer tip feel and lighter weight isn't offensively out of kilter with what I'm used to.

Edited March 7 by mat562

[animalgolfs]

In my group - it's all over the weight range plus graphite & steel mixed.

I play 105 graphite which mixes well with ZZ65 I played for years. Another guy, 82yrs old just got fit into 115 DG Mid & he's not long by any means. 2 other guys in late 60's dropped down in Recoil 460 & they are longest in our group plus low caps....makes no sense.

Edited March 7 by animalgolfs

[Hari_Selden]

Interesting thread resurrection.

I'm 76...

Played 120-130g shafts until 2015, took some time off because sudden onset of LOFT.

Back in the game in 2021, and after a lot of experimentation:

Set 1: 6I - 415g PW - 452g (Vizard IB-WF 85 ascending weight shafts: 85-95g) Honma 747vx.

Set 2: 6I -405g PW - 444g (Nippon 850GH Neo 87g CW shafts) Honma 757B.

No plans to make any changes unless I get even stiffer and weaker.

 

[Mark_Tha_Tinkerer]

2 hours ago, Hari_Selden said:

Interesting thread resurrection.

I'm 76...

Played 120-130g shafts until 2015, took some time off because sudden onset of LOFT.

Back in the game in 2021, and after a lot of experimentation:

Set 1: 6I - 415g PW - 452g (Vizard IB-WF 85 ascending weight shafts: 85-95g) Honma 747vx.

Set 2: 6I -405g PW - 444g (Nippon 850GH Neo 87g CW shafts) Honma 757B.

No plans to make any changes unless I get even stiffer and weaker.

 

Thanks for the total weight disclosure.  That is what I am educating myself on.  It so happens I have a high handicap senior friend that somehow got a used set of irons whose heads seem(ed) appropriate to his skill level.  He had zero rhythm and tempo and balls were going all over the place.  I asked to swing his 6 iron and I swear it felt like swinging a toothpick.  Taking it apart, I found his shaft (cut to length) was 55 grams and he had a 50 gram grip on it bringing total weight to 365 grams.  This was a full 30 grams lower than my preferred weight for a 6 iron as set forth in my earlier post and I could do nothing good with it.  

 

I'm trying to help him out by finding a total weight that is comfortable for him.  (Sure, he could go to a fitter but that's not going to happen and is not as much fun as self-discovery).  I know my preferred total club weight is not likely to be his preferred total weight.  I'm trying to determine a good starting point to build a couple trial clubs for him to swing and test out.  One trial club will be mine at a 395 gram 6 iron.  I was thinking about testing out clubs with 20 gram weight differences (i.e. a 6 iron at 395 grams, one at 415 grams and one at 435 grams).  Based upon @MrFlipper's comment (he uses a 479 gram 6 iron), I may also need to build test clubs at 455 and 475 grams for a fair test.  

 

[Hari_Selden]

The 365g club is way too light.  I could not go lighter than what I'm using now. Swing mechanics are good, but I don't have the speed to swing rebar anymore. Sweeper, ala Watson and Tigre in his prime. No divots, so bear that in mind. There's a lot of stuff that makes the right equipment for you.

Just to muddy the water further - I started with the assumption that being old, A-flex and light was the ticket. Disaster - just like your high handicap friend. Through several (expensive) iterations of stiffer and heavier, I got to the current setup. Don't be afraid to go stiffer on the shafts for him - mine are "S" flex ( Nippon and Vizard are, however, quite a bit softer feeling than a lot of other shafts). I also have a set with Nippon 8950 GH "R" shafts (94g) that I like the feel, trajectory and distance just fine with.

Both sets that I measured have GP MCC +4 grips at between 52 and 54g.

Happy tinkering!

Edited March 7 by Hari_Selden
Confusing reference. Fixed.