p3proswing = bent shafts?

[O.B. Right]

I recently got a p3proswing golf simulator unit . .I set it up on Monday and, yesterday, hit about 200 shots off it. I mostly used my 7iron, 5iron and 4iron.

I picked up my clubs this morning and noticed that the shafts on my 4 and 5 iron are bent. I definitely made a few mishits and "fat" shots but nothing worse than I do on a range mat all the time.

Could the rubberized hitting surface be too much drag on the clubhead - causing the shafts to bow?

Or could it be that I have 20 year old clubs?

I'm going to try and get my clubs reshafted since I think that's going to be the cheapest fix. Now I am afraid to hit off the p3proswing, though. Any other p3proswing users out there can confirm or deny my fears?

[cougar978]

I recently got a p3proswing golf simulator unit . .I set it up on Monday and, yesterday, hit about 200 shots off it. I mostly used my 7iron, 5iron and 4iron.

I think astroturf mats create more friction on the sole of the club at the point of contact than does turf and soil - I've had several instances over the years of clubheads snapping off on mats as opposed to on grass - it's more an issue of metal fatigue than anything else IMO.

[kpaulhus]

I would have to agree. I hit my irons ont eh mats sometimes abd they do just fine. I think it may be the fact that your iron shafts are worn. I would just get them reshafted and not worry about it.

[O.B. Right]

What are the odds that I would find my exact same set of 20 year old irons on craigslist? $60 for the set. The only problem is they are standard length and my clubs are one inch longer. Feels wierd but it should get me by until Christmas when I will most likely get fitted for a new set.

[O.B. Right]

So now that I have replacement irons, I decided to make my old ones the "p3proswing" irons and have since bent 2 more. This unit is vicious if you mishit.

I'm swinging easy . .mostly average swingspeeds in the 60mph range with my short irons. If you strike the unit more than about 6 inches ahead of the ball you can pretty much count on a bent iron as the result. I have my unit embeded in a thick mat but 3 things can happen with a fat shot . . .

1. A really fat shot gets the clubhead caught in between the unit and the mat - bent shaft for sure.

2. A very fat shot will strike the front part of the unit. Even though it is sloped up, the club head will often grab here, resulting in a bent shaft

3. A very unlucky shot will find the clubhead getting caught by the slot where the led sensors shine through. Only done this once - bent my 8 iron.


A lot of you probably don't have to worry about that but I do, obviously. Total newbies who miss the ball on occassion should not use thier regular clubs with this unit.

On the plus, though, I feel like the unit is teaching me a lot. I will definitely ruin this whole set of irons but I am finally starting to learn what an inside-out swing feels like. Plus I also now realize that I slow way down through impact . .of course some of this is definitely psychological since I'm afraid to damage my clubs anymore than they already are.

I'm still up in the air as to whether or not I'm glad I made this purchase. I almost certainly would've gotten more value (and no broken clubs) from an equal amount spent in lessons. On the other hand the p3proswing lets me work on my swing at 2am . .which is more suited to my personality and work schedule.

[Lefty22]

If you strike the unit more than about 6 inches ahead of the ball you can pretty much count on a bent iron as the result.

Whoa - man; if you hit six inches or more behind the ball you're not hitting fat, you're digging a hole close to where a golf ball happens to be sitting...

The fact that you slow down coming into impact is (in my 18 handicapped opinion) possibly because you're making adjustments to try and save your swing at the bottom due to being out of position. I have this every now and then due to me not maintaining my spine angle through the swing. For me I call it the "Barkley Effect" - not that it's a hitch causing thing, but the same thing is the cause of Charles' hitch. It's either slow down and give the hips, shoulders, spine, or whatever time to get back in position or go ahead and power through six inches behind the ball... Glad that you're getting to hit some though - I'm sure it'll be super nice through the winter.

[O.B. Right]

Whoa - man; if you hit six inches or more behind the ball you're not hitting fat, you're digging a hole close to where a golf ball happens to be sitting...

Ha - very true. It's rare but I do it. About once or twice per practice session . .I just start thinking about too many things and have a brain meltdown during the downswing. It's definitely Barkley-esque.

[Lefty-Golfer]

Perfect time to go get an entire new set of clubs...get shopping man it sounds like you are already 10 years or more behind.

[ddalet]

I recently got a p3proswing golf simulator unit . .I set it up on Monday and, yesterday, hit about 200 shots off it. I mostly used my 7iron, 5iron and 4iron.

You'd think your bones would start to ache before you bent the steel LOL

[O.B. Right]

I have changed my approach completely to using the p3proswing. I don't think I'll ever be able to take a full hard swing on it in my garage . . .there is just something in my mind that won't let me do it. My intellectual mind knows that the ball will stop in the net but my instinctive mind will not let me hit a ball hard in such an enclosed space.

However, this is what lead to me actually using this device as a swing trainer and not a video game. I can take 3/4 swings all day long on this unit and get super relevant feedback about my swing . .and then head out to the range and swing away.

My typical day now includes am practice session on the p3proswing and an evening session at the range. I also find it helpfull to limit myself to 50 swings on the p3proswing. Some of my worst club-bending incidents came after hitting 150 balls and just being too tired to swing properly anymore.

Also . . resist the temptation to see how high you can get your swingspeed :)