Project X or Dynamic Gold?

[goblue107501]

I was hoping to get some opinions on shafts. I went to a local demo day and tried out a variety of irons that were on my list of possibles. Of the 6-7 types I hit, my favorite was the Titleist AP2. The Project X is a standard shaft option for these clubs, but I have never played this shaft before. The demo clubs had the Project X 5.5 and Dynamic Gold S-300. I hit them pretty similar and could really tell no difference in the short amount of time. I was just hitting a 6-iron, but the ball flight and feel were similar between the two.

My current set has Dynamic Gold Sensicore S-300. I have used this shaft for about the last 10 years over 2 different sets. Mostly because that is what was in the clubs when I bought them. I have noticed that since my game has improved and I can swing a little faster, anytime I really need to hit an iron hard, the ball tends to drift to the left. A normal, smooth 8-iron (standard 39*) for me will go about 150-153. If need to get after it, I can get to 160, but I usually end up left of the target. I end up having to hit an easy 7 which eliminates some shot options.

When I get the money for the new set I am going to be fitted so I may be able to figure out what is best for me. However, an hour on the range will not tell the whole story so I am asking for some opinions on the Project X. Better or worse than DG? Are all the same shots there? The frequency thing has me really confused. From what I have read, the 5.5 is stiff and the 6.0 is stiff+. Has anyone tried each? What did you find out? Is there a difference in distance?

Any opinions on this issue will be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the help.

[DJYoshi]

I play the 5.5's in my Mizuno MP-60's. they're a lot stiffer than most of the other shafts out there that are "stiff" shafts...especially the stock stiff shafts that are a little whippier. I used to hit my 5 iron 190, and that's dropped down to 175 - 180 since I switched...but with the yardage loss, my trajectory and ball path is much more predictable than before. The shafts are a little longer than the standard shafts I think...and if you get them tapered....the butt of the shaft will get bigger as the irons get longer which feels REALLY uncomfortable at 1st...but that goes away after you adjust.

[jcard71]

I use the Project X 5.0 in my callaway X-20 tours. At first I was wondering if they were going to be too whippy, but after speaking to Callaway directy,I was told 5.0 are like regualr flex.

Anyway, I love the shafts and iron now!

[iacas]

I got your PMs, so I'm here to answer.

If you're playing Sensicore, I'd recommend going with the stepless Project X shafts. They'll feel a bit more similar - a stepped shaft will feel a bit harsher because it'll transmit a few more vibrations up the shaft to your hands.

I think that the S300 is about the same as a Project X 5.8 or so, IIRC. Given the distances you hit the ball, a 5.5 is probably a bit too soft. You probably want to go with a 6.0, and you may want to hard step them (I think that's the right direction). 6.0 is about right for me and you're a tad longer, perhaps. I'm assuming those aren't your "max" distances but your average, 80% swing distances...

Plus, you'll feel more "pro" with the PX shafts.

Double-check everything I've said with someone you trust, but yeah, that's what I'd do: Project X 6.0, perhaps hard stepped, because that should match your swing speed and the feel you've gotten used to with your Sensicores. When I hit DG S300s now they feel just a bit harsher than I like.

[VALSALVA]

All things being equal, an appropriately fitted RP Project-X shaft should have a flatter ball flight and tighter shot dispersion pattern than it's DG equivalent.

As a general rule, you should choose the RP shaft with the lowest frequency (5.0, 6.0, etc) you can tolerate. Or put another way, once a golfer starts hitting a straight block or more of a fade on a shot that would have been straight otherwise, you know that frequency is too great and you should choose the next lowest shaft frequency. Example:

My irons with...
5.0: lots of pull hooks with some straight shots. Really hard to
block or fade. Also, ball flight too high - ballooning Shaft is
too "whippy"
5.5: still too many hooks with more on line shots. I can fade
the ball if I really try. Ball flight still too high
6.0: Perfect! I can hit any shot when I want to. Just the right
trajectory. The ball gets up fast but doesn't continue to rise
very long. My pitching wedge doesn't fly any higher than my
5-iron
6.5+: More fades and pushes when I know I hit it square. Not
enough "kick" in these shafts. Ball flight too low, especially
with long irons.

[JSC924]

Iacas and VALSALVA are right on the money. DG S300s are about 5.8 frequency in PX shafts. PX shafts produce a flatter ball flight which looks really sweet. One thing I do notice is the flatter trajectory is a result of less spin on the golf ball. It's difficult to stop the ball with the long irons and with the scoring irons in down wind, down grain situations.

Edit:

Pros: Penetrating ball flight makes it easier to play in the wind. Tighter ball dispersion. Lighter overall club weight resulting in faster swing speed/more distance.

Cons: Less spin compared to DG S300.

[VALSALVA]

Iacas and VALSALVA are right on the money. DG S300s are about 5.8 frequency in PX shafts. PX shafts produce a flatter ball flight which looks really sweet. One thing I do notice is the flatter trajectory is a result of less spin on the golf ball. It's difficult to stop the ball with the long irons and with the scoring irons in down wind, down grain situations.

I agree. I used to only play ProV1x's b/c I'd spin Pro V's off the front of the green. Now that I play with the Project X's, I still play ProV1x's but can play regular Pro V's in really firm conditions.

[goblue107501]

5.5: still too many hooks with more on line shots. I can fade
the ball if I really try. Ball flight still too high
6.0: Perfect! I can hit any shot when I want to. Just the right
trajectory. The ball gets up fast but doesn't continue to rise
very long. My pitching wedge doesn't fly any higher than my
5-iron

This is exactly what I found out when I hit both shafts many times on the practice range. Thanks for the feedback, it was a big help confirming what I thought.

[nykfan4life]

What would you guys say the PX number equivalent is to conventional terms - what numbers go with Regular, Stiff, and X-Stiff.

[VALSALVA]

What would you guys say the PX number equivalent is to conventional terms - what numbers go with Regular, Stiff, and X-Stiff.

What iacas said about about S-300's being about a PX 5.8 is something I've heard before as well. I have no idea what equivalent PX shaft would be for DG regular or x-stiff. But that's the point of the PX's isn't it - standardization. One regular flex DG shaft might be a 5.0. The next a 5.1, etc. etc. That's the beauty of Royal

Precision .