Black Gold vs. Rifle

[iacas]

I've long been interested in trying a Rifle shaft, but I've always enjoyed (or simply maybe been used to) the True Temper Dynamic Gold S300. I've played that shaft for 12 years now.

Has anyone hit the Black Gold yet? How do you think it will compare to the Rifles? How will either of those compare to the S300?

[Donald MacKenzie]

Erik: Haven't hit the Black Gold, but I can offer some Rifle vs. DG thoughts. I've been back and forth between the two shafts for the last few years. Rifles have a unique feel. A bit like graphite, more springy than DG. Feelwise, DGs are Pro V1x and Rifles are Pro V1.

Also, most of the really good players I've known over the last 5 or so years have gone to Rifles over DG. There were some consistency issues when the Rifles came out 10 years ago. But now they are very consistent, and there are plenty of options (standard, Tour Flighted, constant weight, Project X, etc).

Fitted properly, they're both great shafts. I prefer the feel of the Rifles, and that's why I keep coming back to them. I also think Rifles perform better on half and 3/4 shots, but that is likely just perception on my part.

So it's all about feel. I'd see if someone has a few irons with Rifles in an appropriate flex for you (to me, Rifle 5.5 = DGR300) and hit a bucket with 'em. You'll know if you like 'em or not pretty quick.

[iacas]

Interesting. And you hit on one of the big problems: I have no way of hitting some Rifles (or soon, the Black Gold) with my clubheads (Titleist 680s). I know of nobody that would have that combo.