Precision Rifle FCM 6.5 shafts

Hi all,

I'm have been playing Callaway X 14 pro series irons with Precision Rifle FCM 6.5 shafts for a number of years. I bought these in a local shop without any knowledge or advice. They just felt right for me.I'm now back playing regularly after a couple of years and want to make sure my equipment suits me correctly.

I'm a six handicap that would like to get lower. I know my driver swingspeed is 104 and I hit my 7 iron 165 yards on average (irish conditions), with a higher than average ball filght.

Are these shafts OK for me? Any advice on alternative shafts/ irons would be great.

I know the obvious answer is to go get fitted but I would like to have understanding of what I'm doing before I get there.Thanks.

Sounds like you've already answered your own question.

That's not much help but I get what your saying. Thing is, when I last got fitted the advice was to buy a driver costing over €400. On my budget I'm likely to be buying used clubs. Is it really worth getting tested before buying used clubs? Or do I get an idea of my specs and just go hit some different clubs at the range.

There is some good reference material somewhere (sorry no idea where!) comparing shaft specs but I'm pretty sure yours is the equivalent of dynamic gold x stiff (x100) Which I don't think is a bad thing considering how many pros play with this shaft. Your swing speed is on the verge of a normal x100 recommendation, I would ask about your tempo though. If you have a slow transition at the top, then something a bit softer can work, if you are quite strong and snappy then I would have thought you have the right shafts. Trajectory, well in my opinion your technique ( can you keep a flat left wrist) and secondarily the weight distribution down the length of the club (swing weight and static weight) are the main factors determining trajectory. To be sure I recommend finding a store offering the Mizuno DNA fitting system (you don't have to buy Mizuno) which will give you a very accurate shaft recommendation.

Now that's the kind of information I'm interested in.

I actually got a friend to record my swing and it confirmed what my golf partners have been saying. My tempo is very smooth. As regards my left wrist, flat is definitely not the description. Some work required here.

I hit some different flex shafts today and found the S300's to be the most comfortable and workable.

I have been offered a set of nike vr pro blades for €300 ($385, £240) and can get a third off for trading in the Callaways. Have to say I'm very tempted. Loved the control I had with them.

X14 Pro irons hit the market in 2002, and it appears we don't know if these were stock shafts (doubtful), a custom order, or added later on.

Independent golf component company Royal Precision made Rifle and Project X shafts until 2006, when it went bankrupt. True Temper bought the patents, inventory and the name. See 2006 online WorldGolf coverage:

http://www.worldgolf.com/blogs/golf-gear-news/2006/06/15/royal_precision_shafts_won_t_be_dead_for

So much for history diversion. Here's the line specs on RP Rifle 6.5 shafts from 2009 GolfWorks catalog:

• Flex 6.5 ( Not sure FCM is same. Help, anyone?)
• Maltby Playability Code: 5B1M... (Someone who hits an 8i or 9i from 150 yds., has 105 MPH driver clubhead speed, wants lower trajectory and wants no hook or slice correction).
• Weight: 130 grams
• Bend point: Mid-high (delivers a lower than average trajectory)
• Tip stiffness:  Firm

You need to decide yourself...

• IF you're a 6.5 HDCP, is there some reason you don't like the shafts? High iron shots tend to stop better.
• Have you optimized your driver shaft?
• Have you done a gap analysis? This involves finding the bridge point in your long irons where you start having distance/control problems. If you just can't hit the 3i, the solution would be to add a hybrid to replace it.
• How many fairways do you hit off the tee? What is your GIR average? How is your putting? A Pareto analysis - ID and correct your biggest error factor first - will show where you're losing the most strokes.

The Project X Rifles offer a "slightly higher launch angle and a penetrating ball flight." They take off higher, but have an overall lower max height. If you're ball flight is too high, this might be something to consider. But...

Get real. If you're a 6.5 HDCP, the way to scratch golf is fine-tuning. And to do that, you need to go get a fitting.

I'm pretty sure rifle shafts use a 2.5 inch clamp to measure butt frequency, but other makes use 5". Hence the Project X shafts in that universal shaft cpm chart (which uses 5" on everything) that measure about .5 FCM over their stated frequency from the manufacturers, who used the shorter clamp. I might be wrong but it seems to be the case, and makes sense.