Stiff vs Regular Flex

[rod7515]

Ive been fitted for clubs 3 times in the last 5 years. Im now 62 years old with a 7 iron swing speed of 77 give or take depending on how i feel that day. Ive been fitted for titleist AP2, Calloway Rogue and last year Taylor Made 790. This was at 3 different places and each time i was told to go with a regular flex shaft and the data showed that to be true. My hdcp has been between 12.3 to 14.3 in those 5 years. This summer around Juy I ran into a used set of Ping 410 irons with stiff shafts. They were in very good shape and the price was right so I bought them. Ive played them every round since which is roughly 25 rounds. I am finishing up this year with my lowest hdcp ever at 9.6 index. From the first swing and contact with a golf ball i could tell they were the right clubs. I had a much higher ball flight along with more carry and more ball speed. I do have a simulator here at home that ive had for the last 3 years. My swing speed has not improved but even on the simulator the ball speed is at least 3 MPH faster and the flight is much higher. Ive never really paid much attention to my spin rates but I hope to focus more on them this winter by using different balls. 

My real question would be, should I try changing the shafts to a regular flex and see if i can even get my Hdcp even lower or just leave the clubs as they are since Im playing my best golf with them?  

Thanks Rod

[Vinsk]

  On 11/15/2021 at 2:36 AM, rod7515 said:

Ive been fitted for clubs 3 times in the last 5 years. Im now 62 years old with a 7 iron swing speed of 77 give or take depending on how i feel that day. Ive been fitted for titleist AP2, Calloway Rogue and last year Taylor Made 790. This was at 3 different places and each time i was told to go with a regular flex shaft and the data showed that to be true. My hdcp has been between 12.3 to 14.3 in those 5 years. This summer around Juy I ran into a used set of Ping 410 irons with stiff shafts. They were in very good shape and the price was right so I bought them. Ive played them every round since which is roughly 25 rounds. I am finishing up this year with my lowest hdcp ever at 9.6 index. From the first swing and contact with a golf ball i could tell they were the right clubs. I had a much higher ball flight along with more carry and more ball speed. I do have a simulator here at home that ive had for the last 3 years. My swing speed has not improved but even on the simulator the ball speed is at least 3 MPH faster and the flight is much higher. Ive never really paid much attention to my spin rates but I hope to focus more on them this winter by using different balls. 

My real question would be, should I try changing the shafts to a regular flex and see if i can even get my Hdcp even lower or just leave the clubs as they are since Im playing my best golf with them?  

Thanks Rod

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Sounds like you answered your own question. 

[GolfLug]

  On 11/15/2021 at 2:36 AM, rod7515 said:

My real question would be, should I try changing the shafts to a regular flex and see if i can even get my Hdcp even lower or just leave the clubs as they are since Im playing my best golf with them?  

Thanks Rod

Expand  

Unless you can tighten up your shot dispersion even further, no. Also seems like you have a set that resonates with your swing, literally and figuratively. 

[boogielicious]

  On 11/15/2021 at 2:36 AM, rod7515 said:

Ive been fitted for clubs 3 times in the last 5 years. Im now 62 years old with a 7 iron swing speed of 77 give or take depending on how i feel that day. Ive been fitted for titleist AP2, Calloway Rogue and last year Taylor Made 790. This was at 3 different places and each time i was told to go with a regular flex shaft and the data showed that to be true. My hdcp has been between 12.3 to 14.3 in those 5 years. This summer around Juy I ran into a used set of Ping 410 irons with stiff shafts. They were in very good shape and the price was right so I bought them. Ive played them every round since which is roughly 25 rounds. I am finishing up this year with my lowest hdcp ever at 9.6 index. From the first swing and contact with a golf ball i could tell they were the right clubs. I had a much higher ball flight along with more carry and more ball speed. I do have a simulator here at home that ive had for the last 3 years. My swing speed has not improved but even on the simulator the ball speed is at least 3 MPH faster and the flight is much higher. Ive never really paid much attention to my spin rates but I hope to focus more on them this winter by using different balls. 

My real question would be, should I try changing the shafts to a regular flex and see if i can even get my Hdcp even lower or just leave the clubs as they are since Im playing my best golf with them?  

Thanks Rod

Expand  

Keep in mind that shafts are not equal. One OEM regular can be a stiff in another OEM. Shaft weight is very important with respect to performance. If you have the stock AWT stiff shaft, it is only 104 grams. The regular shafts you were fitted to previously may have been that weight or even heavier. Shaft weight affects swing speed to a point.

The kick point on the shafts also affects launch. So, the shafts you have now may be just right for your swing giving you the swing speed you need with the right launch.

[Sandy Divot]

I would leave them just as they are.

[GolfLug]

  On 11/15/2021 at 11:57 AM, boogielicious said:

Keep in mind that shafts are not equal. One OEM regular can be a stiff in another OEM. Shaft weight is very important with respect to performance. If you have the stock AWT stiff shaft, it is only 104 grams. The regular shafts you were fitted to previously may have been that weight or even heavier. Shaft weight affects swing speed to a point.

The kick point on the shafts also affects launch. So, the shafts you have now may be just right for your swing giving you the swing speed you need with the right launch.

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This ^^^.

[ChetlovesMer]

  On 11/15/2021 at 2:36 AM, rod7515 said:

My real question would be, should I try changing the shafts to a regular flex and see if i can even get my Hdcp even lower or just leave the clubs as they are since Im playing my best golf with them?  

Expand  

There are a lot of ways to answer this question.
My first instinct is NO, leave them as is. 

Having said that. I think a smarter answer would be to dive deeply into what's casing your handicap to be 9.6. Where are you losing shots against your goal handicap and where are you gaining? Once you know that, I'm guessing the answers will pretty much reveal themselves. 

 

[TourSpoon]

It sounds like you already know the answer but I will go down the rabbit hole with you a little. If you have a set of irons that give you consistent yardages, trajectory, and shot shape, what more do you want? If you did an honest analysis of your game, what are your strengths and what are your weaknesses? If this is now your strength then go cautiously because you wouldn't be the first golfer to blow up their game second guessing their success. 

Now if you want to try them in a different shaft, buy a different set or an individual iron, don't change out the whole set. 

Congrats on breaking into single digits!