DG Lite and DG HL

[wolverine_man]

I've been searching for a lighter somewhat more flexible shaft with a lower kick point for my MacGregors for quite some time now. I really wanted to go the Nippon route (1050GH), but I have a hard time putting that kind of cash into shafts for clubs that I purchased used.

I currently use DGS300, and I have now been looking at the old DG Lite and the new DG HL. I don't really need to hit the ball that much higher, but I wouldn't mind picking up an extra half club in distance. Looking at the TT website the Lites look a tad lighter and more of a mid launch, compared to the slightly heavier HL with a higher launch. My 5 iron SS is about 86 mph and I'm also not sure about going S300 or S400 in the DG Lites or S300 in the DG HL.

Anyone have experience with these shafts?

[iammpspeer]

True Temper has a shaft fitter on their website, you should check that out. I also know they make ultra lite shafts.

[wolverine_man]

Thanks I did that and it suggests DG HL in R300, as it only suggests shafts that are currently in production. That was with a 152 yard 7-iron, seeking a lighter shaft, moderate tempo, and mid trajectory. The shaft description for the DG HL, however, says high trajectory. And I am not sure about the Regular flex in such a tip active shaft.

[etlreams]

I have the DG HL R300 shafts in my Titleist AP1s and find it is definately a high launch shaft. It doesn't "ballon" or anything....but the shaft seems to be designed for a high launch, soft landing trajectory.

[wolverine_man]

Thanks for the feedback. Would you mind me asking what type of 5 iron SS you have and could you describe your swing style - slow, smooth and steady, quick, etc?

My SS is around 86-87 and I have a slow take away, followed by a fairly quick transition at the top of my swing, down and through.

[etlreams]

When I was fitted for my clubs last spring, my 6 iron SS came in at an average of about 84 mph. I have a pretty smooth and steady swing from take away to follow through.

I liked the weighting of the DG HL shaft (not ultra light, but not nearly as heavy as the regular DG), and, most of all, I prefer a high ball flight. I like more carry, less roll. So...with my swing speed, swing tempo, prefered weighting and prefered ball flight, the DG HL was a good fit.

Previous to these regular flex shafts, I was playing the Dynamic Gold Tri Spec in stiff shaft. I liked the high ball flight I got, but the stiff shaft and my swing speed made me lose alot of distance and I always had a mild fade to my shots. Switching to these DG HL shafts I was able to keep my high trajectory, but the regular flex helped to straighten out my shot and added distance.

I'm no club fitter, but something I might ask a fitter is if the low kick point is ok for a quick down swing. With your swing speed I wouldn't think it would be a problem, but it would be good to ask.

If you're thinking of the DG HL, just remember (in my experience) they do what they suggest. A pretty high trajectory.

[wolverine_man]

Thanks for that long and informative response. I def feel as though I could benefit from some more distance. Never knew if that was due to the relatively weak lofts of my older irons or the stiff shafts. I really liked the way the Nippons swung, when I tried them out. Perhaps I could do a DG HL R300, hard stepped once. I gotta get to a club fitter and shell out the dough for a nice fitting.

[walfice]

I was fitted for my split cavities about 12 months ago. The stock DG s300 shaft was launching too low with too much spin so I was fit for the DG s300 high launch shaft. My 6i ss was around 85mph, my swing is smooth and steady. They give a nice trajectory with no ballooning at all. On a side note, has anybody experienced the project x high launch shaft?

[tweaky]

As a clubfitter/maker I use a frequency machine to match the flex in shafts. One thing I've noticed is that when the S300 are trimmed to TTs specs they will come out waaay stiffer than what was needed. I've usually found that an untrimmed 3i shaft fits the flex curve for the 3i and 4i and sometimes 5i and very little trimming for the rest of the set. Having the lofts and lies checked is also a key issue especially when reshafting as the new shafts will have an affect on them.