driver shaft weight question

[hrossroth]

I am in the process of looking at different shafts for a driver. The benchmark that I am using for reference is a 65 gram shaft with 3.4 torque and low kick point. I have to get imaginative because custom shafts are sometimes hard to demo in my area. The shafts that I am looking at have weights of 67gram/2.9torque and 72gram/3.5torque. I know that lighter shafts sometimes allow for faster clubhead speed, but, how does extra weight effect the general performance? It doesn't always mean lower flight, does it? Torque contributes to feel I think. On off center hits more torque means that the feel will be of twisting. Is that right? I could go ahead with the stock shaft but I would like to consider all my options. Thanks!

[hrossroth]

For those driver shaft buffs out there, how is the Epic shaft by Grafalloy?

[misty_mountainhop]

I am in the process of looking at different shafts for a driver. The benchmark that I am using for reference is a 65 gram shaft with 3.4 torque and low kick point. I have to get imaginative because custom shafts are sometimes hard to demo in my area. The shafts that I am looking at have weights of 67gram/2.9torque and 72gram/3.5torque. I know that lighter shafts sometimes allow for faster clubhead speed, but, how does extra weight effect the general performance? It doesn't always mean lower flight, does it? Torque contributes to feel I think. On off center hits more torque means that the feel will be of twisting. Is that right? I could go ahead with the stock shaft but I would like to consider all my options. Thanks!

65g, 3.4°, low kick is typically going to launch highish I would think. You're a 7 hcp; how hard do you swing it? Personally, I find the 60-70g shafts too light; I'd rather a heavier (i.e. ~75g) shaft which keeps me a bit more rhythmical than a light one which I thrash away with as if I'm threshing corn.

You have a lot more to think about as well as torque, weight and kick point. Do you want a tip-stiff design or a softer tip? Tip-stiff will generally hit it lower but tends to feel a bit harsher. Modern shafts often have more torque than before as they're often married to large heads; something to do with increased MOI but I don't know exactly what they're talking about there! Heavier models of the same shaft will generally have a lower launch/trajectory than lighter versions.

For those driver shaft buffs out there, how is the Epic shaft by Grafalloy?

Epic is awesome; liked it so much in my driver I recently fitted the fairway shaft in my 3- and 4-woods (got them all brand new via eBay for good prices).

Fitted my Titleist 983E with the T75-S variant (Tour ~75g, stiff) and there is no way I'm changing it any time soon. The standard Epic (~68g) is OK but the T75 is lower torque (3.0°) and I think it loads much smoother and stays with you better if you're a decent player. The standard 68 has been said to balloon a bit sometimes as well. I don't find the T75 any longer really than the Graphite Design YS-6 (stiff) I had before but, at least for me, it's much more accurate. If you fit one yourself, be very careful about tip preparation.

[hrossroth]

Thanks for the reply. I don't have exact numbers, so I am estimating my swing speed at 102mph. I just missed out on a driver with the UST V2 shaft. I wanted to try that one and the Epic. Custom driver shafts are beginning to see the light for me as I have continued to read about them on this forum. First it was gap wedges, then regripping/saving myself, now instead of just going with the stock shaft in a driver I am trying to experiment. There is a tech van from Cleveland that should have the shaft offerings, but that won't be for a couple more months.

[misty_mountainhop]

Might want to see if you can get some comment on the UST V2 from Eric (iacas) as I think he is a regular user and fan of the V2.

[thr33]

I have the both the Epic 65-R and the 68-S in different drivers. I love them both to death and found them to be extremely accurate and long. Here's a good review of the shaft http://www.golfwrx.com/BagChatter/20...-shaft-review/ that helped me make the decision in buying the shaft. Try to demo the shaft if you can, but it's kinda hard to find a driver with this shaft to demo.