Problems going from NS Pro 100 to Project X Rifle 5.5....should I have expected it?

[polred2007]

Guys,

I made the move a purhcased some new irons, a set of Ping i20's black dot. I tried them in the shop with the launch monitor and I hit them well, a tad right but on the whole very solid. The main difference between them and my previous set of Titleist 775 CB's is the shaft, the Pings are PX 5.5, the 775's are NS Pro 100.

Ok, onto the crooks of the thread... I used them today on the course and well...all I can say is right right right, everything went right! Short and right, not a good showing and they just didn't feel good, I usually hit 3 out of 4 shots what I believe are 'solid' with my old irons however, maybe 1 out of 4 today and that is being generous!

The clubs felt heavy, really heavy. The guy in the shop said the PX 5.5 where between reg and stiff, however they seem much stiffer than my 775's.

I think i have made a mistake in my selection...I am a 9 handicapper and these are only my 3rd set of clubs. In your experience, can the shafts have this much impact on your game? Are the PX 5.5 shafts that much stiffer than NS Pro 100, are they that much different? Any advice you guys can offer is much appreciated.

Cheers

[WUTiger]

According to a Golf.WRX link, the NS Pro 100 was basically an NS Pro 1050 which was custom made for Titleist. Data attributed to a Titleist specs book said:

S flex = 112 grams weight / Torque 2.4 / Mid-high launch.

NS Pro tends to be softer than average on its flex ratings. I went to R.flex about five years ago, but I find I can hit the NS Pro lighter shafts in S flex rather well.

PX 5.5 falls on the other end of the spectrum. Although about same weight at 115 grams, this shaft family is probably the stiffest to flex of major shafts. The 5.5 would have an FCM rating of 6.0, while the DG S300 has a rating of just 5.8 (FCM allows comparison of stiffness across shaft manufacturers). So although a bit lighter in weight, the 5.5 is actually stiffer than the S300.

If the Pings have the PX 5.5 Rifle , the ball flight will be a slightly higher launch, but a lower overall ball flight once airborne. I don't have FCM ratings for NS Pro shafts, but I would speculate the NS 100 is about a full flex softer than the 5.5, plus the NS is engineered to give higher ball flight.

So, you have a harsher shaft you're playing. The PX.95 in 5.0 or 5.5 might work better for you. (PX 95 is 15 grams lighter, and is flighted)

Here's a Golf.WRX link on the shaft. : http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/317740-titleist-ns-pro-100-shaft/page__p__2071628__hl__ns%20pro%20100%20shafts#entry2071628

[polred2007]

Wu Tiger, thanks so much. Your post couldn't have been more informative for me, i just wish the guy in the golf shop took the same consideration! I tried them again at the range yesterday, thinking I am just going to keep them and get used to them, I must admit I was hitting a little straighter but the majority was starting straight then slicing sharply... I also discovered I was hitting more towards the toe...could this be as a result of the shaft also? I was conscious of trying to swing harder at the ball, maybe this was making me swing more out to in...? Not really sure? So really I need to take them back to the shop and get a less stiff shaft....I am a 9 handicapper and figured I should be using stiffer shafts...maybe not?

[WUTiger]

Originally Posted by polred2007

... I must admit I was hitting a little straighter but the majority was starting straight then slicing sharply... I also discovered I was hitting more towards the toe...could this be as a result of the shaft also? I was conscious of trying to swing harder at the ball, maybe this was making me swing more out to in...? ...

Right before I dumped stiff-shafted irons in 2009, I was losing distance and starting to leave the ball to the right.

Hitting on the toe is a common symptom of when I slipped into "over the top," usually trying to hit the ball harder. If the shafts are harsh, it not only causes right misses, but it can mess up your overall swing tempo.

If your Titleist irons were R flex, and you went to PX 5.5, you may have gone up more than a full flex in stiffness (comparatively).

Also, there's a crossover point between flex and shaft weight. You could possibly handle an NS Pro Stiff shaft, especially at lighter weight, better than the 5.5..

Remember, you're a 9 HDCP (like, you pretty well know what you're doing). Someone like you should find a good-quality golf operation and get a full fitting for your irons. Go to a place where you can try different shafts in specific iron heads. And, hopefully hit some outdoor shots.

Buying something off the rack because it felt kinda OK one afternoon doesn't always work. You deserve better.

[polred2007]

Originally Posted by WUTiger

Right before I dumped stiff-shafted irons in 2009, I was losing distance and starting to leave the ball to the right.

Hitting on the toe is a common symptom of when I slipped into "over the top," usually trying to hit the ball harder. If the shafts are harsh, it not only causes right misses, but it can mess up your overall swing tempo.

If your Titleist irons were R flex, and you went to PX 5.5, you may have gone up more than a full flex in stiffness (comparatively).

Also, there's a crossover point between flex and shaft weight. You could possibly handle an NS Pro Stiff shaft, especially at lighter weight, better than the 5.5..

Remember, you're a 9 HDCP (like, you pretty well know what you're doing). Someone like you should find a good-quality golf operation and get a full fitting for your irons. Go to a place where you can try different shafts in specific iron heads. And, hopefully hit some outdoor shots.

Buying something off the rack because it felt kinda OK one afternoon doesn't always work. You deserve better.

Thanks again so much for your comments, it makes a lot of sense and you managed to do it without all the usual jargon! I am going back to the shop on Saturday, this time I will be asking for the full fitting and see where that puts me.

The over the top comments make absolute sense, this is likely what I have been doing as I was very conscious to swing a bit harder given the shafts I had...

I'll keep you posted on how I get on.

Cheers pal