Did I get the shaft?

[Wizardvette]

I have a Nike 22* Hybrid club with a standard graphite shaft. All the lettering faces away from me when in the address position.

I ordered another one (26*)with my American Express points, and it had the Irod carbon fiber shaft. When in the address position, all lettering and markings face toward me and the plain side faces out. Is this an error, or is there a reason for it to be this way? Just a curiosity question mostly. The club hits great and won't be getting rid of it any time soon.

[mediaguru]

Sounds like you need to decide wether you're right handed or left handed.... OR perhaps it's that incredible nike QA.

[Everardo]

Some people prefer not to have graphics "disturb" their view so they install the shafts with the graphics down. Others install them up so it's easier to align.....just personal preference

[lightrider]

Most likely a couple different things.

1) Could be slapped together so no logo is taken into account Just build it and get it out.
2) Could be installed per shaft manufacturer's spec concerning shaft's spine alignment.

[Wizardvette]

for the obvious reason of wanting it to match every other club in my bag, is it feasable to get it rotated? is it a big deal? easy?

[lightrider]

for the obvious reason of wanting it to match every other club in my bag, is it feasable to get it rotated? is it a big deal? easy?

Disregarding the merits of spining a shaft, which is probably a minimal effect anyways, the shaft can be pulled by any skilled clubmaker and oriented in any position you wish. The one caveat is if its a bore through head. On bore through heads the shafts tips are trimmed at an angle and reorienting it would require tip trimming which would alter the flex of the shaft. Very few heads have this issue and the shop can tell you pretty quick if its a bore through head or not.

[Wizardvette]

Disregarding the merits of spining a shaft, which is probably a minimal effect anyways, the shaft can be pulled by any skilled clubmaker and oriented in any position you wish. The one caveat is if its a bore through head. On bore through heads the shafts tips are trimmed at an angle and reorienting it would require tip trimming which would alter the flex of the shaft. Very few heads have this issue and the shop can tell you pretty quick if its a bore through head or not.

thanks for the info. a skilled clubmaker? where do I find one of those? In pool, we had custom cue makers, but I've never met a golf club maker.

[Rafcin]

for the obvious reason of wanting it to match every other club in my bag, is it feasable to get it rotated? is it a big deal? easy?

I wouldn't do that, unless you feel something wrong with it when you swing. Most manufacturers are using the "puring" system, which alignes the shafts properly and ignores the graphics. There is a good chance your shaft was installed this way for a reason

[Everardo]

If the club works or you're a high handicapper.....then don't even worry about it. Yes spining/puring is a great thing but I'm willing to bet that a high handicapper won't be able to tell the difference (no offense)
With the Nike CPR's you won't have to worry about bore heads and will be pretty easy to rotate the shaft if you just can't live with the graphics not matching.
To find clubmakers in your area just look in the phone book for "Club Repair" or see if there is a Golfsmith in your area.

Wiz - Don't over think it and if it ain't broke don't fix it :)

[Donald MacKenzie]

Another reason why the Nike stock shaft was installed graphics-down and the iRoD was installed graphics up is marketing. The Nike stock shaft isn't a selling point, so it is installed to be unobtrusive. But the iRoD is a selling point, a "brand-name" shaft with some good buzz. So the graphics go up, unless you ask to have it installed otherwise.

I agree that you should leave it alone unless it is affecting the performance of the club. Pulling the shaft and reinstalling it could introduce new problems. And, after you hit the club a few dozen times you I bet you won't even notice the graphics on the iRoD anymore (even though they are pretty obnoxious). Great shaft, though.

[Wizardvette]

Dick's agreed to an exchange. It's one of those things that will bother me when I get better at the game, so it's best to get it taken care of now, while the club is still new. Thanks for the input guys!

[Wizardvette]

Update...

went to Dick's today to look at their clubs, and all the CPR hybrids are shafted this way. It looks pretty silly, but it's a great club.