Interchangeable Equipment : Awful

[JYB]

IMO, i really dislike the idea of using interchangeable shafts/heads when playing golf. It just doesn't work.

After listening to this week's podcast on this site, i think that Titleist has the right idea : use the interchangeable stuff for fittings, not for selling clubs in mass.

It's absolutely stupid to have 20 different options for a club once you purchase it : get something fitted, buy something that FITS you and that you like and than use that for your overall game.

It's so stupid, this interchangeable concept on clubs. It just gives in to the let's have everything come easy in life and not work at anything attitude that this country is promoting to the rest of the world.

Let's be honest with each other : there are no shortcuts, especially in golf. Hard work and discipline is what pays off, not taking a shortcut getting multiple heads that you can "screw" off and on your golf shaft to help you on different shots.

[TCCcaddie]

I agree, especially when they are priced ridiclously high. Callaway charges 350 for a clubhead and then another 200, at least, for a club. Why pay over 500 for a club when you can buy it custom for the slightly more than the normal price.

[Doctorfro]

That's why the R7 stuff is crazy as well.

[Harry Longshanks]

I agree. But I say let the fools spend the $$$$$$ for the interchangeable stuff so the OEMs can sell the other stuff at a lower price to those of us who get fitted to what we need.

(I guess I'm an optimist.)

[golf_junkie27]

For $500, you can go to a really good fitter and have him make you a driver. He'll put together the ideal head and shaft, bend the club open or closed, give you the ideal loft, tip the point, set the CPM to the exact flex number, cut it to the perfect length, etc.

If you can get all of these features from the OEM on two shafts and head, then it's a steal. If not, it's just a waste of money.

[odstore]

That's why the R7 stuff is crazy as well.

If you're talking about the interchangeable weights I don't think that's crazy. My r5 has interchangeable weights but I think changing them affects the swing weight more than anything. It's a lot easier (and looks a lot better) to pop different screws in to make the club head heavier than to cover it with lead tape. And if you want the head lighter on a normal club you're just plain SOL.

[DJYoshi]

If you're talking about the interchangeable weights I don't think that's crazy. My r5 has interchangeable weights but I think changing them affects the swing weight more than anything. It's a lot easier (and looks a lot better) to pop different screws in to make the club head heavier than to cover it with lead tape. And if you want the head lighter on a normal club you're just plain SOL.

I think he was speaking on the interchangeable shafts that all these companies are coming out with. I agree and just don't find any use for carrying 2 or 3 shafts to the course. They say it's so you can control your ball to give you "optimal" launch conditions depending on the course & weather.. but ummm a different shaft will create a completely different club/ball flight/etc.

I spent $250 on my HiBoreXL after trying about 15 drivers. I spent $270 on the Diamana shaft spine aligned $30 tipped and installed w/ a new grip. and I'm happy!

[RX Phoenix]

You cannot change shafts during a round of golf, so that's not the purpose of it.

This idea is targeting older golfers who have the $$$ to buy it. As you get older you don't recover so quickly from a round of golf and your swing changes from day to day more than you would like.

A shaft that worked yesterday may produce push fades today, so to be able to quickly change the shaft is a great idea IMO. This would be done on the range as you prepare for the round to come.

It also would come in handy depending on the golf course you are playing, are the fairways lush with no run out, then you want to carry the ball as far as possible, if the fairways are very firm then you want a more penetrating ball flight with lots of run out, changing the shaft will give you the shot shape for the course you are playing.

Of course if you are able to bomb the ball in the air 280+ every day with no problem then it isn't a good idea to be switching shafts, best to get fitted and stay consistent.

[cwcaesar]

It is my understanding that you (per the rules of golf) are not supposed to make any alterations to the clubs once you are out on the course. These interchangeable parts are supposed to be used before the round starts, i.e. if you want to play in the wind, put on a shaft that promotes a low ball flight. but once you start the round, you are not allowed to change it to anything else. I agree that this is a little on the ridiculous side. I believe that you should be custom fitted for the right club, and then go out and learn how to use it.

[JYB]

that's all i'm saying. Go out, get custom fitted and then go play. Screw this interchangeble poop.

[rudygu]

I don't really understand why anyone would want to spend the money for the interchangeable shafts. There is only going to be one shaft that works the best for any individual's swing - so once you find the shaft that works best for you, why ever use the other ones? Sure, you could choose one shaft for wide open fairways and maybe one that sacrifices a little distance for more control to use on a course with tight fairways, or use a lower launching shaft for windy days, etc. but aside from Mickelson (and it doesn't really seem to help him) I don't see PGA players doing this. They test equipment until they find what works best and then stick with it.

If people want to spend the money to get them, then more power to them. But, I don't think it's going to help their games. I'd rather find a club/shaft combination that works for me and then learn to hit the shots I need with it.

[pjsnyc]

... but aside from Mickelson (and it doesn't really seem to help him) I don't see PGA players doing this...

Is Phil really using interchangeable/configurable clubs? I find that hard to believe (I may have seen a commercial, but that doesn't count).

But yeah - It's dumb in my opinion. I'd feel like I was cheating myself.

[1UnderU]

The golf equipment industry is a business just like any other. They need to keep coming out with new products in order to get new sales. Whether the ideas are good or bad. In realty the driver you bought 5 years ago is probably as good as what is coming out now. But that isn't going to be profitable for golf equipment companies. Square drivers was the last one, they will eventually fade out.

[pjsnyc]

...Square drivers was the last one, they will eventually fade out.

What do you suppose the next iteration of driver heads will look like? A triangle?

[DJYoshi]

What do you suppose the next iteration of driver heads will look like? A triangle?

high moi with the traditional pear shape. keep it like that! tour edge doesn't utilize square sh** for their exotics line...and their clubs are beautiful and the ball comes out HOT. everyone has a R&D; team...they've all gotta be great... but if they've seen what T.E's done...produce high-end clubs...as well as beginner sets and drivers....that utilize different bonding techniques to eliminate weighting in certain areas so it can be placed elsewhere for higher moi.

[Harry Longshanks]

So, would you consider interchangeable shafts/clubheads if they were the same price and performance as fixed clubs?

At that point, I would.

[pjsnyc]

So, would you consider interchangeable shafts/clubheads if they were the same price and performance as fixed clubs?

Meh - honestly I think it just adds to doubting yourself when presented a certain situation. Sticking to a fixed club eliminates the guess work of which shaft, how the head should be weighted, etc. because you're stuck with that configuration. Sure, it COULD help to have an interchangeable club, but I think confidence in one club is far more important than over thinking the right combo. Just my 2 cents.

[Harry Longshanks]

Meh - honestly I think it just adds to doubting yourself when presented a certain situation. Sticking to a fixed club eliminates the guess work of which shaft, how the head should be weighted, etc. because you're stuck with that configuration. Sure, it COULD help to have an interchangeable club, but I think confidence in one club is far more important than over thinking the right combo. Just my 2 cents.

Agreed. But I was thinking more along the lines of being able to buy a new clubhead without the expense of a new shaft. Of course, each of the OEMs use a different connection method.