Mizuno shaft optimizer surprising results

[webber]

I’ve been in project X 6.0 for God knows how long. It’s a shaft that’s always worked.  When I have done fittings in the past, it always had a good combination of launch and spin, distance and dispersion.  My last fitting with it though was probably seven or eight years ago. I am getting older. I’m now 48 and definitely losing a step.  
 

Just messing around I jumped on the Mizuno optimizer at the local golf Galaxy. My three shaft recommendations were the KBSC taper lite stiff, PX IO 6.0, and DG Mid 115 S300.  I guess all three shafts have similar profiles to the original project X just a little more user-friendly. 
 

Is this fitting system accurate?  What do y’all think about these shafts?

 

 

[Streuner]

Mizuno shaft optimizer especially in the newer version is a very good starting point for a fitting. But not more than that… you still have to Swing and feel the shaft. 

[ScooterMcTavish]

All are good shaft recommendations, though interesting that all three have much more active tips than the PX.

 

How do you feel about the spin/launch from your PX?  If you’re happy, but looking for something a little lighter/softer, I’d probably stay away from these three recommendations as they will typically increase your trajectory.  If you need more height and spin, they’re worth a try.

 

If you do decide to go back and hit any of them, I’d throw an $-Taper Lite and a DG 105 into the mix as well, and see how you do with those.

Edited May 6 by ScooterMcTavish

[speedeuphoria]

I had same recommended PX Io was good but mmt105 was better

[Drivingrangehero]

PX IO 6.0 feels much stiffer than the DG 100 Mid S300, I’d say the PX IO 5.5 is a touch stiffer feeling than the DG 100 Mid S300

 

if you like the PX 6.0 why not go with a PX 5.0, it will be close in weight to the PX IO 6.0, but feel firmer in the tip

 

Im turning 49 in a week, and prefer a softer flex shaft, so I’m currently in a Steelfiber i110R, but will move into a SF i95r on my next set…… if I played steel shafts, I’d definitely play the DG 100 Mid s300 or soft step a PX IO 5.5, and I still have a bit of speed with my 7i swing speed around 92mph and around 112mph with a driver. 
 

I don’t know how much the Mizuno shaft optimizer has changed, but I went on the newer version in 2019, and it spit out C-Taper 130, PX 6.5 and DG x100……. I ended up getting fit into a Modus 105s at the time, so my advice would be to find a comfortable weight range, then hit a few different profiles until you find what works best, then fine tune with flex 

 

 

Out of all the shafts tested the C-Taper 130 launched the highest, and the Recoil 110stiff launched the lowest…… yep, that’s not backwards. I’ve found the best feeling shaft for my swing, also happens to give me the best launch and spin numbers. 
 

I launched the C-Taper highest (19°) because I had to swing super hard to get the feedback I was looking for, and that changed my delivery, where the Modus 105s at the time gave me the feedback I desired without feeling like I had to jump on every shot, so that must have effected my delivery since I launched the Modus 105s at 16.5°

 

A lot of guys that see what shaft companies claim as higher launch or lower launch to be true, have very late deliveries, where mine was a 4 on the Mizuno shaft optimizer, so more mid, most peoples launch is affected by weight, rather than what the shaft companies claim in regards to a shaft being labeled as either a “high  launch” or “low launch” shaft 

 

[kilword]

I was testing shafts Mizuno offers for irons on feel and the numbers I was getting. I was down to $taper 120 or project x LS just on feel. Worker offered to try the Mizuno shaft optimizer and the number one was the $-taper 120 and that solidified my choice. Been loving them. 

[webber]

So I went to a different shop today and jumped on their Mizuno Optimizer, and it gave me KBS Tour S, KBS $ Taper S, and Project X LZ 6.0 as the top 3.  No where to be found was the C Taper Lite S, PX IO, or DG Mid 115 S300 it recommended last week.  Are these things even accurate?  

[PedronNiall]

5 hours ago, webber said:

So I went to a different shop today and jumped on their Mizuno Optimizer, and it gave me KBS Tour S, KBS $ Taper S, and Project X LZ 6.0 as the top 3.  No where to be found was the C Taper Lite S, PX IO, or DG Mid 115 S300 it recommended last week.  Are these things even accurate?  

 

Was pretty sure I'd seen you asking for some input on a fix recently so I refreshed my memory. With some of the things you do with your swing it's not a surprise your tempo, transition, and loading aren't fully consistent and so what's recommended for you could vary a little from day to day. 

[webber]

32 minutes ago, PedronNiall said:

 

Was pretty sure I'd seen you asking for some input on a fix recently so I refreshed my memory. With some of the things you do with your swing it's not a surprise your tempo, transition, and loading aren't fully consistent and so what's recommended for you could vary a little from day to day. 

 

32 minutes ago, PedronNiall said:

 

Was pretty sure I'd seen you asking for some input on a fix recently so I refreshed my memory. With some of the things you do with your swing it's not a surprise your tempo, transition, and loading aren't fully consistent and so what's recommended for you could vary a little from day to day. 

My driver is only issue I hit 3w-sw great 0 issues. 

[Stuart_G]

11 hours ago, webber said:

So I went to a different shop today and jumped on their Mizuno Optimizer, and it gave me KBS Tour S, KBS $ Taper S, and Project X LZ 6.0 as the top 3.  No where to be found was the C Taper Lite S, PX IO, or DG Mid 115 S300 it recommended last week.  Are these things even accurate?  

 

You've already got the best answer to that.

 

On 5/6/2025 at 12:50 AM, Streuner said:

Mizuno shaft optimizer especially in the newer version is a very good starting point for a fitting. But not more than that… you still have to Swing and feel the shaft. 

 

[caniac6]

I did a Mizuno fitting at our course on Friday. The Mizuno rep watched me hit some with my club, and fit me with a shaft. He tried a couple other shaft and head combos, but the first shaft worked best. He never used the Shaft Optimizer. I was just wondering about the success of the trial and error method vs the Optimizer, and has anyone found better shafts that were not recommended by the Optimizer?

[Stuart_G]

1 hour ago, caniac6 said:

the trial and error method vs the Optimizer,

 

They are not competing methods.  Anyone who is looking at it like that (as an alternative process) doesn't understand the core principle of how it's supposed to be used.

Edited May 11 by Stuart_G

[caniac6]

1 hour ago, Stuart_G said:

 

They are not competing methods.  Anyone who is looking at it like that (as an alternative process) doesn't understand the core principle of how it's supposed to be used.

I have been fit using the Optimizer before, and it recommended 3 shafts in descending order. This was a number of years ago, and the top recommendation was one that worked the best. That is how I understand it works. I was wondering if this method is more reliable than the old fashioned method, and if I should try the Optimizer to see if there might be better options? If I have it wrong, please explain how it’s supposed to be used.

[Arlin964]

5 hours ago, caniac6 said:

I have been fit using the Optimizer before, and it recommended 3 shafts in descending order. This was a number of years ago, and the top recommendation was one that worked the best. That is how I understand it works. I was wondering if this method is more reliable than the old fashioned method, and if I should try the Optimizer to see if there might be better options? If I have it wrong, please explain how it’s supposed to be used.

What @Stuart_G is saying is that the optimizer results can be a starting point, not necessarily the destination. It could, I repeat, COULD, give a fitter an idea of where to start. 

[golferdude54]

Do the top 3 outputs on the Optimizer typically have the same bend profiles, just at slightly different flexes/weights?

 

Edited May 12 by golferdude54

[Stuart_G]

17 hours ago, caniac6 said:

I have been fit using the Optimizer before, and it recommended 3 shafts in descending order. This was a number of years ago, and the top recommendation was one that worked the best. That is how I understand it works.

 

The optimizer makes suggestions.  You tried them and found if any of them actually worked, and if so which worked the best.  You still went through a trail and error process, you didn't avoid it.   In your words, you still went through the "old fashioned" method as well as using the optimizer.

 

As we said before, the optimizer just makes suggestions on where to start the trial and error process, it doesn't replace it.  In your case, you ended up with one of the suggestions.  But if none of the suggested shafts had worked, you would have moved onto others not recommended by the optimizer based on the results of the testing.

 

17 hours ago, caniac6 said:

 I was wondering if this method is more reliable than the old fashioned method

 

As far as reliability goes, that will always depends on the quality of the fitter, whether using the optimizer or not.

 

But with a good fitter, the success rate would be the same without using the optimizer as with using it, it just might take a little bit longer - a few more shafts might need to be tested to find out which shaft was a good fit. 

 

Now, with a mediocre or poorly trained fitter, the success rate might be a bit better with the optimizer.

Now, if you're asking how often does the optimizer actually land on what turns out to be the best, that's harder to say.   But just based on the posts of people sharing their experiences here in the forum,  I'd guess maybe somewhere between 50-70% the individuals using it end up with one of the first 3 shafts suggested.   

 

The biggest problem with the optimizer's accuracy is that it has no way to judge or evaluate the subjective influences that go into finding the best fit.   How the stiffness or weight feel actually effects the swing in ways that might make a shaft a good or bad fit.

 

 

17 hours ago, caniac6 said:

 if I should try the Optimizer

 

You mean try it again?   How long ago was the last time you tried it?  How much has your swing or body changed since then?   Has some problem started showing up with the clubs you got from that last time using the optimizer?

 

Even if little has changed since the last fitting, one core problem with fitting in general is there are a lot of people calling themselves fitters that don't deserve the title.   And those can mess things up whether using the optimizer or not.   In that respect, it never hurts to see different fitters to get a different perspective on what might work the best for you.  Get a second (or third) opinion so to speak.  But it doesn't really matter if they use the optimizer or not.

 

12 hours ago, Arlin964 said:

 It could, I repeat, COULD, give a fitter an idea of where to start. 

 

There is no question that it can provide a starting point.  The unknown is how close to the end point that starting point is going to be.

Edited May 12 by Stuart_G

[B_of_H]

I went against the mizuno shaft optimizer for a few sets then gave in on the 3rd set.  Each time it would tell me kbs tour 130 or $ taper 130 but I stuck with dgx100.  Finally went to kbs tour 130 about 5 years ago and now in the $ taper.  It was right, i'm a significantly better iron player and love the kbs shafts now.  That being said it would also recommend the modus 120x as a 3rd choice iirc which I tried for a few months and never liked.  I actually flight the kbs tour and $ taper the same, the tour gets a touch less spin. (which doesn't fit theoretically but nonetheless it happens every time). DG and Project x fly higher for me and spin less consistently for me. The shaft optimizer was the only reason I even considered switching. 

[BBO]

I did the shaft optimizer at a local place and was surprised that it only took three (if I remember right) of my inconsistent swings to recommend me shafts. I thought it was bologna at first but then I hit with those shafts and 3/4 at my top I liked a lot with the other one a very popular similar model I just didn't like the feel. That was over a year ago and I very recently did a non-mizuno fitting and surprise... the same shafts all ended up at the top of the list (same iron head profile as well). I guess it just depends on if you're swinging your normal swing or not when doing it. Definitely swing the shafts after and don't solely rely on the data.

[mantan]

I agree with the comments that it's starting point to try things but not a magic bullet.

 

I had the opportunity to use it twice this spring about a month apart. Once for a s's and giggles and another time during a fitting session.  My swing speed was near identical (81.6 vs 81.3) and my other numbers were really close as well..my tempo being slightly slower on the day I was fit with a regular. It said the C-Taper Lite was a good fit.

 

The other options were a DG Mid and Project X IO.

 

 

We tried the shafts with a head similar to what I play now (Srixon ZX5). We tried it in both the ZXi5 and ZXi4.  I just couldn't get over the feel. It felt as stiff as a board and I just didn't feel like I could time it.  Same with the DG Mid. I just didn't like the feel of it at all.

 

We tried a ton of shafts and I had the best results with the Modus 105...which was listed 6th and 7th on the MSO list.

 

 

 

Edited June 9 by mantan

[bnperrone]

20 years ago the optimizer seemed like magic. What I’ve seen in more recent years is that for any kind of speed it spits out very heavy, very stiff options. It recommended every 130+ gram X option there is, but “traditional” fittings and on-course experience has shown that I am way better off in the 115-gram weight range for iron shafts, S or X depending on brand but never solid X across all options. 
 

I am also one of those people who gets very freed up in a hitting bay. It’s easy to get really grooved, even alternating between shafts in a fitting, at least until I get tired. 

[webber]

Ok I’m convinced this thing is junk. I went to a third shop (pga superstore) and used it again. 3 swings it spits out DG 105 s300, then CTaper lite 110 S, then PX 6.0 110 IO.  
 

I’m scratching my head now, so I decide to put it through three more swings. These swings are all the same may add. 
 

next 3 DG 120 X100, PX 6.0 std, Modus 120 X. 
 

So in 3 sessions and 12 swings I’ve got everything from heavy and X stiff to light and stiff. 

[Arlin964]

Just wanted to check back in and provide my experience.  Today was a Mizuno demo day at the golf center I go to.  I used the Optimizer for the first time.

 

Here are my results:

91 mph

5.0 tempo

2.5 toe down

1.0 kick angle

5.0 release factor

7.0 shaft lean

4.0 attack angle

 

This is the order of shaft recommendations, and my thoughts of them from previous opportunities to use them.

 

1. KBS $-Taper 120 > I've tried this shaft on a number of occasions and I absolutely hate it.  Can't ever find the center.

2. KBS Tour 120 > I've played this one a little bit and it's decent to good for me.

3. PX 6.0 > Played this extensively and I like it.  But I like getting help with additional height and spin.

4. KBS C-Taper 120 > I have played this a decent amount as well, and I also like.

 

------------------------------------------

Brief intermission.  You might notice something and have a question.  How does the same person do ok with both C-Taper 120 and Tour 120, but not do well with $-Taper 120.  I have the same question.  I don't understand it.  Beats me.

-------------------------------------------

 

5. DG120X > I have been fit into this before, but I don't really like it that much.  Feels kind of blah to me, lots of toe strikes

6. PXLS 6.0 > Never played it, but tested it briefly.  It was good.

7. Modus 115X > I'm actually playing Modus 115 Stiff right now and have liked it pretty well.  I like to feel a bit more give, and X was too boardy for me.  Stiff is surprisingly stable.

8. PXLZ 6.0 > was fit to this years ago and played them for a while.  I liked them in long and mid irons, but didn't care for them in short irons.  If I think back, it was probably that I just needed more head weight on those.

 

Overall I think I tend to be more sensitive to profile than I am to weight.  I can play well with DG 130 X100 ssx2, Modus 115 S, and Modus 105 S.  As you can see, that's approx a 20g difference from lowest to highest.

 

[StoutKing]

Mizuno shaft optimizer has not worked the three times fitters have tried it with me.

[Stuart_G]

10 hours ago, Arlin964 said:

------------------------------------------

Brief intermission.  You might notice something and have a question.  How does the same person do ok with both C-Taper 120 and Tour 120, but not do well with $-Taper 120.  I have the same question.  I don't understand it.  Beats me.

-------------------------------------------

 

Different stiffness profiles and different feels for how the shaft loads and unloads.

[Jayjay_theweim_guy]

On 5/5/2025 at 11:22 PM, webber said:

I’ve been in project X 6.0 for God knows how long. It’s a shaft that’s always worked.  When I have done fittings in the past, it always had a good combination of launch and spin, distance and dispersion.  My last fitting with it though was probably seven or eight years ago. I am getting older. I’m now 48 and definitely losing a step.  
 

Just messing around I jumped on the Mizuno optimizer at the local golf Galaxy. My three shaft recommendations were the KBSC taper lite stiff, PX IO 6.0, and DG Mid 115 S300.  I guess all three shafts have similar profiles to the original project X just a little more user-friendly. 
 

Is this fitting system accurate?  What do y’all think about these shafts?

 

 

Hopefully you tried them, and can tell us what you think of them.  

 

I was tickled by my recent experience with it.  You have to click the "all options" though in the dashboard to see all the choices.  It went from C-Taper X,  to HS DG X100 or it preferred slightly SS X7.  Used to play X100 straight, and honestly shouldn't have left.  Of course, I know that...now.

 

(That said, Drew Cooper's video with him hitting irons with L-series vs PX LS 6.5, was astounding.  Guess he doesn't miss the weight.  And probably playing a tad stiffer than stiff-flex too.)

 

Anyway, for woods, clicking "all" really expanded the choices.

 

I think it gets stupid with the weight if your tempo's fast.  No, I'm not going to go TR Black 8X in driver.  (l'll try it though; and the Mizuno guy and I had a hearty laugh)  Definitely hopping right to VB (blue or black) 7X, next time I go a shaft-demoing.

 

As a first pass through the candidates, I think it's not bad at all.

[Jayjay_theweim_guy]

On 5/15/2025 at 6:48 PM, Arlin964 said:

Just wanted to check back in and provide my experience.  Today was a Mizuno demo day at the golf center I go to.  I used the Optimizer for the first time.

 

Here are my results:

91 mph

5.0 tempo

2.5 toe down

1.0 kick angle

5.0 release factor

7.0 shaft lean

4.0 attack angle

 

This is the order of shaft recommendations, and my thoughts of them from previous opportunities to use them.

 

1. KBS $-Taper 120 > I've tried this shaft on a number of occasions and I absolutely hate it.  Can't ever find the center.

2. KBS Tour 120 > I've played this one a little bit and it's decent to good for me.

3. PX 6.0 > Played this extensively and I like it.  But I like getting help with additional height and spin.

4. KBS C-Taper 120 > I have played this a decent amount as well, and I also like.

 

------------------------------------------

Brief intermission.  You might notice something and have a question.  How does the same person do ok with both C-Taper 120 and Tour 120, but not do well with $-Taper 120.  I have the same question.  I don't understand it.  Beats me.

-------------------------------------------

 

5. DG120X > I have been fit into this before, but I don't really like it that much.  Feels kind of blah to me, lots of toe strikes

6. PXLS 6.0 > Never played it, but tested it briefly.  It was good.

7. Modus 115X > I'm actually playing Modus 115 Stiff right now and have liked it pretty well.  I like to feel a bit more give, and X was too boardy for me.  Stiff is surprisingly stable.

8. PXLZ 6.0 > was fit to this years ago and played them for a while.  I liked them in long and mid irons, but didn't care for them in short irons.  If I think back, it was probably that I just needed more head weight on those.

 

Overall I think I tend to be more sensitive to profile than I am to weight.  I can play well with DG 130 X100 ssx2, Modus 115 S, and Modus 105 S.  As you can see, that's approx a 20g difference from lowest to highest.

 

Per my earlier point, I stuck your stats into the analyzer---the apps free for Apple---then clicked all.  Top shafts were... Tour V X 120 gram hard stepped. (With a helpful $$$, icon).  Then $ taper S-HS, and Tour S.  6.0 got great marks too.  

 

From either Ian Fraser or the AGN guys, if it's at 4.5/5 for you, that's likely going to be OK.  There are a gazillion at 4.6/5 or over.

 

(Edit: FWIW, it loves, loves, loves Tensei 1K Blue 75 S for you in woods.  Maybe start with 65 S.  If you care at all.  Next were Ascent Red 60X and WB 73 S)

Edited May 17 by Jayjay_theweim_guy

[POKeefe]

Used it once, it recommended the $-Taper 120. Got irons with that shaft and couldn’t stand it. Got rid of them pretty quickly.
 

It’s a useful tool, but only as a place to start. 

[Jayjay_theweim_guy]

32 minutes ago, POKeefe said:

It’s a useful tool, but only as a place to start. 

100.  As Stuart keeps writing here, and he's absolutely right. 

 

But opening up the shaft choices was very eyeopening, all the same.  "Huh, Hard Stepping X100?  I could do that..."

[PNW]

On 5/15/2025 at 4:48 PM, Arlin964 said:

Just wanted to check back in and provide my experience.  Today was a Mizuno demo day at the golf center I go to.  I used the Optimizer for the first time.

 

Here are my results:

91 mph

5.0 tempo

2.5 toe down

1.0 kick angle

5.0 release factor

7.0 shaft lean

4.0 attack angle

 

This is the order of shaft recommendations, and my thoughts of them from previous opportunities to use them.

 

1. KBS $-Taper 120 > I've tried this shaft on a number of occasions and I absolutely hate it.  Can't ever find the center.

2. KBS Tour 120 > I've played this one a little bit and it's decent to good for me.

3. PX 6.0 > Played this extensively and I like it.  But I like getting help with additional height and spin.

4. KBS C-Taper 120 > I have played this a decent amount as well, and I also like.

 

------------------------------------------

Brief intermission.  You might notice something and have a question.  How does the same person do ok with both C-Taper 120 and Tour 120, but not do well with $-Taper 120.  I have the same question.  I don't understand it.  Beats me.

-------------------------------------------

 

5. DG120X > I have been fit into this before, but I don't really like it that much.  Feels kind of blah to me, lots of toe strikes

6. PXLS 6.0 > Never played it, but tested it briefly.  It was good.

7. Modus 115X > I'm actually playing Modus 115 Stiff right now and have liked it pretty well.  I like to feel a bit more give, and X was too boardy for me.  Stiff is surprisingly stable.

8. PXLZ 6.0 > was fit to this years ago and played them for a while.  I liked them in long and mid irons, but didn't care for them in short irons.  If I think back, it was probably that I just needed more head weight on those.

 

Overall I think I tend to be more sensitive to profile than I am to weight.  I can play well with DG 130 X100 ssx2, Modus 115 S, and Modus 105 S.  As you can see, that's approx a 20g difference from lowest to highest.

 

I haven’t been on the Mizuno optimizer in a long time to know 

my numbers but I generally agree with your descriptions based on my preferences. It always surprises me how much I don’t like $ Taper when I do like PX and KBS Tour. I think it’s the combination of high balance point making the head feel lighter along with a stiff handle and a stepless dead feel until what I describe is a ‘floppy tip’, at least in 120, that throws me off. Tour just feels more uniform and predictable even though it has more feel/flex to it and PX 6.0 has some flex in the handle along with a not too overly stiff tip. 

[Arlin964]

3 hours ago, Jayjay_theweim_guy said:

Per my earlier point, I stuck your stats into the analyzer---the apps free for Apple---then clicked all.  Top shafts were... Tour V X 120 gram hard stepped. (With a helpful $$$, icon).  Then $ taper S-HS, and Tour S.  6.0 got great marks too.  

 

From either Ian Fraser or the AGN guys, if it's at 4.5/5 for you, that's likely going to be OK.  There are a gazillion at 4.6/5 or over.

 

(Edit: FWIW, it loves, loves, loves Tensei 1K Blue 75 S for you in woods.  Maybe start with 65 S.  If you care at all.  Next were Ascent Red 60X and WB 73 S)

That’s interesting - Tensei Blue has usually not been a good fit for me, but WB 73 was decent when I tried the new cobra wood line. Totally unfamiliar with Ascent Red so I can’t say much to that. Oddly enough I’ve liked my Ventus Blue ‘24 this year. 
 

lol, it had 9 shafts rated 4.5 or higher for me so you are totally right. 
 

Tour V was a pretty good option for me when I went to KBS a while back. Top three option with CTaper Lite X and CTaper S.