Playing with plugs, need feedback!

[carrx]

I'm a pretty tall guy (6'2"), and have been fitted 3 or 4 different times for irons.  Depending on the person, and the day, I'm either a)  standard length, standard lie, b) 1/2" over +2 upright, or c) 1" over, +2 upright (apparently with my arm length I'm right on the border between the three, so it depends on the day and how I'm swinging on the lie board?)

I got fitted before my last purchase, and ended up buying a standard/standard set of Mizuno MP-60s with DGS300 shafts (4 years ago).

A year and a half ago my wife bought me a private fitting session at Callaway in Carlsbad CA for my birthday.  It was a great experience, and quite informative.  I got to hit all the various setups and finally realized I need the extra 1" (and 2 degrees) to improve my posture through the swing (especially with the scoring irons, which have always offered the danger of a skulled screamer as I stand up through impact).

I looked in to reshafting my irons, but didn't really want to pay the freight for a re-shaft/re-grip combination, ultimately electing to put a 1" plug in the end of the shaft (then re-gripping).  I've been playing with them like this for over a year now, and while I think they have served me well, I have been fighting some tendonitis in my left wrist (right handed golfer).  I recently hit a demo 6 iron Adams CB1 with a Project X 6.0 and the correct setup (1" over, +2 degrees up).  The weight difference was incredible, and noticeable immediately!  My current set feel so heavy compared to the others, and while I love my Mizunos, I haven't been able to keep the feel and weight of those other sticks out of my mind.

To my question:

Have any of you played with the shaft plugs for any length of time?  I'm working on building a budget for a golf purchase, and not sure if I ought to consider buying a new set or re-shafting my MP-60s, or even standing pat.  My irons are in decent shape considering the amount of play they've gotten (200+ rounds), but I'm always in the market for some new sticks.

Your thoughts and comments are appreciated!

carrx

[glock35ipsc]

Adding the 1" to your current set added about 6 swingweight points, so that might account for your lengthened irons "feeling heavier", although you didn't indicate whether the heavier weight was static or felt during the swing.

Budget wise, if you like your current set and they have plenty of life left in them, you would be money ahead to have the reshafted.  I'm sure there are several clubfitters in the Long Beach area.  Or, if you are a DIY type guy, working on your own sticks is a fun hobby, and reshafting and gripping a set of irons is not hard to do.

[carrx]

Honestly I can't say I really noticed the weight differential.  A friend of mine hit a few shots with my 7-iron, and HE mentioned it to me.  After that I considered things, considering I've been battling the tendonitis in my wrist for about 6 months.

When I hit the demo CB1s I definitely noticed a difference, during the swing, not static.

I appreciate the feedback.

[tweaky]

if you think THAT made a difference wait until you've put something like a GS75 in them!  sub 80 gram when trimmed and made 1" over length.  i know because i did it for a friend/customer who absolutely LOVES them!  forget "swingweight", trust your personal FEEL for them (MOI is a closer measurement IMHO) .  he also suffers from a sore left wrist and this has made a great difference to his game.

[Long Ball Larry]

carrx, I can't comment on the shaft plugs, but if you're considering reshafting, I recommend that you go see my clubmaker, who is also in Long Beach. His name is Bob Hickman, and I've gone to him a lot over the past two years. He is extremely knowledgeable and only charges $50 for an initial fitting. His website is: http://campocustomclubs.com/index.html.

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by tweaky

(MOI is a closer measurement IMHO)

I agree!