Switched to graphite and lost distance

[MiloMalt]

21 hours ago, JermWRX said:

Not much I can do about that, other than a shaft change, correct?

Lower spinning ball but then again you need to ask yourself if the loss of distance is bad (it sometimes isn't). Do you need the higher spin to hold greens? If so, you could play better golf with the less distance. If you don't need more spin them switching to a lower spinning ball could put you back to where you were in your previous set.

[JermWRX]

On 6/10/2024 at 7:04 PM, Stuart_G said:

 

What about the general trajectory?   Still high or did that get better from the first session w/o the tape?

 

Just for the sake of seeing if you can manage with these shafts (or really this weight shaft), I might try with the added head weight but no weight added to the shaft to see if the swing weight increase by itself is enough to get good results.

 

 

 

It's very common that an aggressive transition will tend to put people into stiffer shafts than the swing speed alone might indicate.  

 

The only thing that doesn't fit about that is your previous choice of the Modus 120's.   In reality, their stiffness more closesly matches a shaft of one flex softer compared to other OEM's iron shafts.     It also might mean that the stiffness might not be as important in the shorter playing length (and sometimes) slightly more controlled swing of the irons.    Or it could mean that the tip stiffness is more important to you than the butt/mid section of the shaft that the flex is more commonly chosen from.

 

 

First of all, it's not really clear yet on whether the stiffness is a problem with the current MMT's.   Unless maybe they was something about the feel that you didn't like when you started using your normal more aggressive swing  with them in this last session?

 

The only other way to answer that question is to do some more side by side testing with different stiffness options that are the same weight.  

 

Not a lot of options with the heavier graphite and no one shaft stands out a whole lot more than the others.   Except I might say don't bother with the steelfiber FC series (FC115).  They do have as ofter tip.  Stick to the i-series with the steelfibers as a possible option due to the stiffer tips.   But that doesn't mean that going to the 125 TX in the MMT might not also be worth trying.   My only suggestion would be to keep in mind that if you do go with the steelfibers, you might not need to go to the X, the stiff might be stiff enough.   Also with the SF i110's - they have a high balance point so definitely make sure the swing weight is managed properly in whatever demo or test club you try.  When you do that, they actually play more like a 116-8 gm shaft, not a 110 gm shaft.

 

But my main suggestion is get the shaft weight and swing weight figured out first - that's (and maybe your budget) might significantly limit what options you have to choose from.

 

18 holes yesterday, and 18 today.

 

Yesterday the irons felt good. Played with 6g of tape on the heads. Definitely felt a bit different. I felt the head and had nice control. Ball flight was high, but not quite as high as it has been. Distances were close to what I've been seeing. 
 

Today I played with 8g on the heads and a 9g band around the shaft at 6" below the grip. Big difference. Felt great. Controlled the face well. Flight was lower, more like what I had with steel. I've always hit the ball really high, and for the most part I'm okay with that. I didn't see the fluttering like I was before, though. Distances were consistent and back to what I had before the switch. Can't thank you enough for all of the advice. 

[NRJyzr]

On 6/9/2024 at 6:14 PM, JermWRX said:

I switched to graphite this year to take some pressure off my joints. I play 15-20 rounds/ month. So I've got 40ish rounds on my irons. They're much smoother and feel fantastic, so no complaints. My body feels much better after rounds. They are a club shorter, though. It's not the end of the world, but I figured I'd see if it's normal. I played Modus 120S for a long time. I'm playing MMT 105S now. I was thinking about giving SteelFiber a shot. 

 

First thought...  MMT105 stiff is about a flex stiffer than Modus 120 stiff.  They also have a stiffer butt section than your Modus 120, and possibly a stiffer mid (the 120 lower mid is pretty soft).

 

While it's said that weight is more important than flex for many, or even most, if that isn't 100% true for you, that flex difference could be in play.

 

(Apologies for being late to the party)

 

Edited June 13, 2024 by NRJyzr