Axiom iron shaft--which weight and flex? I only have one shot to order an iron and try them out

[putt_for_dough]

Hi team.

 

I can't find anywhere near me that has Axiom shafts in their demo matrix, so I'm going to bite the bullet and just order a single iron for the heck of it and give them a go. I currently play $-Taper 130X in my ZX7 irons, and honestly, things are going great. With that said, I'm playing a lot more than I used to, I joined an indoor golf sim gym/hitting a bunch of balls of mats during the week, and I'm wondering if the shafts are playing a role in fatigue/tendonitis. For the first time in my life I've got golfer's elbow.

 

7 iron swing speed is hovering around 92 mph on average with Trackman and 95 mph on Quad, and I am not an aggressive loader. I didn't get fit into the $-tapers, I just bought them because a friend had them and I loved his irons. Numbers with my current iron/shaft combo are darn near perfect.

 

With all that said, I want to try the graphite Axiom shafts. If I could only order one iron to try out, would you go for 105 S or 125 X? If anybody has experience with these (or comparison to $ taper...or any other advice/desire to type something out haha), then please share. 

 

THANK YOU!!!!

Edited August 1 by putt_for_dough

[NRJyzr]

Based only on the $-taper use/success, I would think the 125x would be the way to go.  I would also wonder if you would also be a candidate for the Pro 115 Tour Spec X...

 

[Ty_Guy]

There is something special in the higher end 105g graphite shafts. If you can adapt to the slower tempo of dropping 25g, the capabilities of graphite really shine.

 

A smooth transition in low a 90s 7i swing, 120g class graphite will feel VERY firm. Both are going to feel a little odd at first, but stability will be enough in both shafts. The popular 105g graphite shafts like KBS TGI, Axiom, and LA Golf all match up to the stability of 120/130g steel. So, you aren't going to lose anything there.

 

To demo something different, go for the 105. Same weight graphite will feel very similar to what you already have in all regards.

 

When swinging the 105, focus on feeling the different force through impact. When I try 105, it can feel like there is no smash, but when I look at the data, all the ball metrics match up evenly. It's wild feeling like a full swing only has the impact power of a partial wedge shot, but then see the ball fly full swing distance. Tempo and sequence was more controller for me in 105. Though, when I wanted to hit a full GW, it took serious mental effort to up the speed. I was able to but a full attack swing with the GW had a mental block that wasn't there with heavier shafts.

 

I've played 120 Modus, 120 DG, 120 LA Golf, and am now testing 105 LA Golf. Not sold yet, but the unique feel and easier swing is certainly there.

 

Which iron are you going to try the new shaft? I went with GW. It's my favorite and most confident "attack the green club," but the feel I've tried to describe is so novel to me, I need to try it in a mid iron where the default swing is a full one to really get a good idea of the change.

Edited August 1 by Ty_Guy

[Stuart_G]

5 hours ago, NRJyzr said:

Based only on the $-taper use/success, I would think the 125x would be the way to go.  

 

 

That would be my first thoughts as well.   Although that's really just if you want to address the tendonitis.   It likely wont do anything with respect to any potential fatigue issues.  That's where going down in weight might be more beneficial - although I don't see any reason to drop the flex down as well as the weight.  So I would think the 105 x would be the route to go if you're concerned about fatigue and you wanted to stick with Axiom's.    But that's a big jump down in weight, so I think it probably better to find a different model graphite shaft that has an option in the ~115 gm range. 

 

 

Edited August 1 by Stuart_G

[xandersingh]

Aspen Golf has all the Axiom's available through their demo program! They can send you different shafts and a club head to try them with

[gdb99]

https://aspengolfdirect.com/pages/demo-program

[phizzy30]

Obvious answer is Axiom 125X.  Just remember though they are different EI profiles.  

 

$-taper

stiff/med+/med

 

Axiom

med+/stiff/stiff

 

EI profile may or may not affect your delivery into the ball.  Axiom does have a bit of kick but it's right under the handle whereas as the $-taper is in the lower mid.  Both are smooth.  

[NRJyzr]

Took a look on Golf Shaft Reviews....    it seems the EI curve of the $-Taper is nearly identical to the KBS Tour, per Russ Ryden. 

 

Which makes me wonder if one of the KBS graphites would be worth a look?  <shrug>

 

The static weight could be an issue, of course, coming from $-Taper 130...

Edited August 1 by NRJyzr

[putt_for_dough]

1 hour ago, xandersingh said:

Aspen Golf has all the Axiom's available through their demo program! They can send you different shafts and a club head to try them with

I've never even heard of these guys! Super cool, but it's tough since I'm a lefty, and I also get 30% off Mizuno, and 35% off Dunlop/Srixon/Cleveland, so I usually stay within these brands. Will keep my eye out here though for some awesome Japanese irons to try out every now and then

[putt_for_dough]

17 minutes ago, NRJyzr said:

Took a look on Golf Shaft Reviews....    it seems the EI curve of the $-Taper is nearly identical to the KBS Tour, per Russ Ryden. 

 

Which makes me wonder if one of the KBS graphites would be worth a look?  <shrug>

 

The static weight could be an issue, of course, coming from $-Taper 130...

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm kind of tied to Srixon offerings due to a discount/partnership I've got, and I also am drinking the velocore cool-aid since I'm loving them in my woods. The problem with going through Srixon is they only offer 105S and 125X...in a perfect world I'd order the 105X and not look back. 

[putt_for_dough]

4 hours ago, Ty_Guy said:

There is something special in the higher end 105g graphite shafts. If you can adapt to the slower tempo of dropping 25g, the capabilities of graphite really shine.

 

A smooth transition in low a 90s 7i swing, 120g class graphite will feel VERY firm. Both are going to feel a little odd at first, but stability will be enough in both shafts. The popular 105g graphite shafts like KBS TGI, Axiom, and LA Golf all match up to the stability of 120/130g steel. So, you aren't going to lose anything there.

 

To demo something different, go for the 105. Same weight graphite will feel very similar to what you already have in all regards.

 

When swinging the 105, focus on feeling the different force through impact. When I try 105, it can feel like there is no smash, but when I look at the data, all the ball metrics match up evenly. It's wild feeling like a full swing only has the impact power of a partial wedge shot, but then see the ball fly full swing distance. Tempo and sequence was more controller for me in 105. Though, when I wanted to hit a full GW, it took serious mental effort to up the speed. I was able to but a full attack swing with the GW had a mental block that wasn't there with heavier shafts.

 

I've played 120 Modus, 120 DG, 120 LA Golf, and am now testing 105 LA Golf. Not sold yet, but the unique feel and easier swing is certainly there.

 

Which iron are you going to try the new shaft? I went with GW. It's my favorite and most confident "attack the green club," but the feel I've tried to describe is so novel to me, I need to try it in a mid iron where the default swing is a full one to really get a good idea of the change.

What a beast of a reply. This is extremely helpful!! Thanks for sharing your knowledge/experience with all of us.

 

I have partnership discounts through Mizuno and Srixon, and I'm currently playing ZX7 irons, so I'd stay within their ecosystem which means ordering a ZXi7 with either a 105S or 125X shaft (that's all they offer in the Axioms)...and it sounds like you'd suggest trying out the 105S, which I'm inclined to do as well. If I love it, I'll order a full set...if I don't, then no harm done, and I can stick with my $ tapers/re-assess next year.

 

I would be ordering in a mid-iron; I am most interested in how these would hold up/feel on full swings (eg. 7 iron), and if I were to re-sell, then I think that would be easiest to pawn off to someone.

[noblesin]

That demo site has 125S for demo rental as well.. Fujikura just announced those.

[putt_for_dough]

1 hour ago, noblesin said:

That demo site has 125S for demo rental as well.. Fujikura just announced those.

Thank you for the referral. This is an awesome site that I haven't heard of before, but it doesn't fit my situation, unfortunately. I mentioned earlier that I'm left-handed, and I currently play ZX7 irons/will be sticking with Srixon due to partnership discounts...Srixon only offers 105S and 125X. To me, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to throw an Axiom shaft in a completely different iron/blade, as that would introduce more variables. Aspen Golf only offers a single head for lefties (Miura 901 blades)

Edited August 1 by putt_for_dough