X100 irons, what in wedges?

[Jcgib9]

I currently have X100s in my 5-GW T150s (irons bent two degrees strong so GW is 46). I have PX rifle 6.5 in my 50 and 54. The issue I’m having is launch angle. 50 launches at 35 degrees and 54 launches at 38 degrees. I have a relatively high swing speed (upper 90s with my 7 iron). Would you recommend I go S400 8 iron 3/8 tipped, X100 straight in, or X7 8 iron in my 50 and 54 to help with launch?

 

Looking to understand what could work as I don’t have access to hit all three shafts back to back.

[Cwebb]

The basic starting point for wedges, is to go with the same shaft that fits you in your iron set.  Make something else prove that it is actually better for you, before assuming that it will be.

 

Also keep in mind that with Dynamic Golds, the 9i shaft is the last discreet length offered, so its used in every wedge below the 9i.  This means all the wedges will automatically be soft-stepped to one degree or another. 

 

Wedge set heads almost always have longer hosels and longer Bottom of Bore to Ground Measurements, which will make the same discreet shaft play somewhat softer, usually as if it's soft-stepped about 1 time.   This would be the case for your 50 and 54* heads, compared to your iron set.

 

If in doubt, I'd just start with X100's and they should be close enough in flex.  If you go S400's they will be a lot softer than your iron set,....which some players do like.

[Ger21]

10 hours ago, Jcgib9 said:

Would you recommend I go S400 8 iron 3/8 tipped, X100 straight in,

When I had X100's, I used X100's tipped 3/8" in my wedges.

[rsballer10]

10 hours ago, Jcgib9 said:

The issue I’m having is launch angle. 50 launches at 35 degrees and 54 launches at 38 degrees. I have a relatively high swing speed (upper 90s with my 7 iron). Would you recommend I go S400 8 iron 3/8 tipped, X100 straight in, or X7 8 iron in my 50 and 54 to help with launch?

How much are you expecting to lower your launch with a shaft change? 

 

At your speed, I'd eliminate S400 in the 50 and 54.

 

Try X7 8i, and if you don't like that X100 straight in. X100 tipped 3/8" is an option but probably redundant to the X7.

 

[dufferaaron]

While not at your speed, I have the same shaft in every iron from 4 iron -62* wedge. I find it helps with consistency.

[Jcgib9]

10 hours ago, Cwebb said:

The basic starting point for wedges, is to go with the same shaft that fits you in your iron set.  Make something else prove that it is actually better for you, before assuming that it will be.

 

Also keep in mind that with Dynamic Golds, the 9i shaft is the last discreet length offered, so its used in every wedge below the 9i.  This means all the wedges will automatically be soft-stepped to one degree or another. 

 

Wedge set heads almost always have longer hosels and longer Bottom of Bore to Ground Measurements, which will make the same discreet shaft play somewhat softer, usually as if it's soft-stepped about 1 time.   This would be the case for your 50 and 54* heads, compared to your iron set.

 

If in doubt, I'd just start with X100's and they should be close enough in flex.  If you go S400's they will be a lot softer than your iron set,....which some players do like.

Makes sense, thank you. My initial thought is to go tipped X100 and go from there. 

Edited May 20 by Jcgib9

[Jcgib9]

56 minutes ago, rsballer10 said:

How much are you expecting to lower your launch with a shaft change? 

 

At your speed, I'd eliminate S400 in the 50 and 54.

 

Try X7 8i, and if you don't like that X100 straight in. X100 tipped 3/8" is an option but probably redundant to the X7.

 

I’m mainly looking to flatten peak height. Both irons are flying 125+ feet at peak. Would the additional weight of the X7 be beneficial over the X100 tipped?

[Pnwpingi210]

53 minutes ago, Jcgib9 said:

I’m mainly looking to flatten peak height. Both irons are flying 125+ feet at peak. Would the additional weight of the X7 be beneficial over the X100 tipped?

 

 

For reference just about every tour pro swings as fast or faster than you with a 7 iron and they use s400 or x100 if they are a dyanmic gold player. 
 

no shaft is going to lower height and spin if presenting to much loft at impact.  You’re likely a high dynamic loft player.  
 

 

[Howard_Jones]

13 minutes ago, Pnwpingi210 said:

 

 

For reference just about every tour pro swings as fast or faster than you with a 7 iron and they use s400 or x100 if they are a dyanmic gold player. 
 

no shaft is going to lower height and spin if presenting to much loft at impact.  You’re likely a high dynamic loft player.  
 

 

 

DG X7 #8 iron shafts, has a flex equal to where a DG X100 GW shaft would have been, and it lowers launch and add spin compared to a DG X100 # 9 shaft.

On the paper, it should take apex down with 10 feets/3 yards for a GW on full swings.

Edited May 20 by Howard_Jones

[Pnwpingi210]

2 minutes ago, Howard_Jones said:

 

DG X7 #8 iron shafts, has a flex equal to where a DG X100 GW shaft would have been, and it lowers launch and add spin compared to a DG X100 # 9 shaft.

On the paper, it should take apex down with 10 feets/3 yards for a GW on full swings.

Yes yes, on paper.  I’ve seen your thread and appreciate it.

 

ive, and others, have much more success lower wedge flight by controlling swing speed and loft at impact.  A shaft can only do so much, and sometimes going heavier and stiffer (a x7 8 iron feels much heavier and stiffer than a s400 or x100 9 iron shaft) actually promotes you to swing harder and flip more (which is likely the op issue)

[Jcgib9]

3 minutes ago, Pnwpingi210 said:

Yes yes, on paper.  I’ve seen your thread and appreciate it.

 

ive, and others, have much more success lower wedge flight by controlling swing speed and loft at impact.  A shaft can only do so much, and sometimes going heavier and stiffer (a x7 8 iron feels much heavier and stiffer than a s400 or x100 9 iron shaft) actually promotes you to swing harder and flip more (which is likely the op issue)

I agree. I’m likely a high dynamic loft player. I guess I was hoping to see if a shaft could potentially help with bringing my apex down as I don’t have this issue with my irons only wedges. I do understand I will see benefit in changing swing mechanics.

[Pnwpingi210]

Just now, Jcgib9 said:

I agree. I’m likely a high dynamic loft player. I guess I was hoping to see if a shaft could potentially help with bringing my apex down as I don’t have this issue with my irons only wedges. I do understand I will see benefit in changing swing mechanics.

It can as Howard pointed on paper.

 

i was once in your shoes and had the same problem.  The x7 did help, but only after I figured out my techiniqe.  It didn’t do much when I was swing full bore and flippy.  If anything it probably got me in the mindset to swing harder

[Dabetic]

Some of these replies are more in depth than I could ever go. My personal experience is something lighter than my iron shafts as I simply hit my wedges softer - and I don't have issues w full hard wedges when I do want to go after it. I have PX LS 6.5 up to PW and S400 in wedges. Sometimes the PW feels a little boardy but hasn't been a big enough issue to make a fuss about 

[TLUBulldogGolf]

What ball is this launch with? You would ideally lower it around 8-10 degrees which seems unlikely with just a shaft change.

 

I match my irons in the fuller swing wedges, you could try the 8 iron shaft option Howard mentioned but I’m not sure that gets you all the way there. I’m a PX player with upper 90s speed as well and I can flight them down when needed, but the profile might not suit you (DG doesn’t suit me). 

Edited May 20 by TLUBulldogGolf
Added

[Ewood808]

14 minutes ago, Jcgib9 said:

I agree. I’m likely a high dynamic loft player. I guess I was hoping to see if a shaft could potentially help with bringing my apex down as I don’t have this issue with my irons only wedges. I do understand I will see benefit in changing swing mechanics.

As someone who is also a high ball hitter (high launch, low spin) I'm curious about your height issue only being in your wedges. Do you feel there is anything different with your release/swing with the wedges to have that change? My height is consistent throughout the bag. 

[Jcgib9]

20 minutes ago, TLUBulldogGolf said:

What ball is this launch with? You would ideally lower it around 8-10 degrees which seems unlikely with just a shaft change.

 

I match my irons in the fuller swing wedges, you could try the 8 iron shaft option Howard mentioned but I’m not sure that gets you all the way there. I’m a PX player with upper 90s speed as well and I can flight them down when needed, but the profile might not suit you (DG doesn’t suit me). 

Chrome soft practice balls. I typically play Pro V1s during rounds. 
 

After talking through it.. I’m going to match my 50 and 54 with my X100 irons and if needed go the X7 route Howard mentioned. It seems I’m the opposite and prefer DGs. I can flight my X100 PW no issue. 
 

Do you go heavier and stiffer or softer after your full swing wedge? 

[Jcgib9]

17 minutes ago, Ewood808 said:

As someone who is also a high ball hitter (high launch, low spin) I'm curious about your height issue only being in your wedges. Do you feel there is anything different with your release/swing with the wedges to have that change? My height is consistent throughout the bag. 

The only thing I can point to is having DG X100s in my irons and PX 6.5 in my wedges. I can flight my X100s no issue but cannot seem to do that with my PX wedges. 

[TLUBulldogGolf]

11 minutes ago, Jcgib9 said:

Chrome soft practice balls. I typically play Pro V1s during rounds. 
 

After talking through it.. I’m going to match my 50 and 54 with my X100 irons and if needed go the X7 route Howard mentioned. It seems I’m the opposite and prefer DGs. I can flight my X100 PW no issue. 
 

Do you go heavier and stiffer or softer after your full swing wedge? 

Softer, PX wedge 6.5 in my 60. The flex matches but they are designed to play softer. I have also played a standard 6.0 in the past but prefer the additional weight.

 

One other thing I would check is strike point. If you want to flight a wedge lower it needs to be contacted lower on the face. 

Edited May 20 by TLUBulldogGolf

[Pnwpingi210]

10 minutes ago, Jcgib9 said:

Chrome soft practice balls. I typically play Pro V1s during rounds. 
 

After talking through it.. I’m going to match my 50 and 54 with my X100 irons and if needed go the X7 route Howard mentioned. It seems I’m the opposite and prefer DGs. I can flight my X100 PW no issue. 
 

Do you go heavier and stiffer or softer after your full swing wedge? 

Do you play wedges at standard length or over length?

 

I also used to play my wedges .25 to .75 over and that made it harder to flight down.  I play them standard now and my wedge game is the best it’s been.  S400 at standard length.  97-100 with 7 iron.

[Howard_Jones]

1 hour ago, Pnwpingi210 said:

Yes yes, on paper.  I’ve seen your thread and appreciate it.

 

ive, and others, have much more success lower wedge flight by controlling swing speed and loft at impact.  A shaft can only do so much, and sometimes going heavier and stiffer (a x7 8 iron feels much heavier and stiffer than a s400 or x100 9 iron shaft) actually promotes you to swing harder and flip more (which is likely the op issue)

 

Its not heavy, you forget that we butt cutt a #8 with 0.5 inch more than a #9, and that takes wgt down to x100 iron level. S400 #9 will still be about 1.8 grams up, depending on the actual shafts start wgt.

 

Its very nice if you have the talent to fight wedges down, but most players is not able to do that. Then a full flex shaft who fits the flex slot of a GW is the way to go, especially if the GW is a full swing club / #11 iron.

 

During those years ive used this, and helped others, i cant recall any players who experienced higher launch, always lower. How much is always individual but 10 feets / 3 yards is what we can expect on this case, and compared to S400 #9 shafts, even more.

Edited May 20 by Howard_Jones

[Pnwpingi210]

4 minutes ago, Howard_Jones said:

 

Its not heavy, you forget that we butt cutt a #8 with 0.5 inch more than a #9, and that takes wgt down to x100 iron level. S400 #9 will still be about 1.8 grams up, depending on the actual shafts start wgt.

 

Its very nice if you have the talent to fight wedges down, but most players is not able to do that. Then a full flex shaft who fits the flex slot of a GW is the way to go, especially if the GW is a full swing club / #11 iron.

 

During those years ive used this, and helped others, i cant recall any players who experienced higher launch, always lower. How much is always individual but 10 feets / 3 yards is what we can expect on this case.

X7 8 iron feels miles heavier and stiffer than x100 or s400 in my experience.   Not I said feel or perceived because that’s not what the paper shows.  

I tried all the options per the thread you have on here, the only meaningful change was reducing dynamic loft via less flip.  I play s400 in pw - lw and they all apex around 90-100 and fly 10 yards farther than they did when I swung 100% speed with the “lower flight options”. 
 

just sharing that as it was a two year journey of tinkering with edge shafts that was fixed in 3 months of swing work.

 

Edited May 20 by Pnwpingi210

[Cwebb]

2 hours ago, Jcgib9 said:

The only thing I can point to is having DG X100s in my irons and PX 6.5 in my wedges. I can flight my X100s no issue but cannot seem to do that with my PX wedges. 

 

Makes sense, because no knowledgeable fitter that I know of, would ever recommend PX for wedges when DG fits you in your iron set